What is lupus and why does it occur 10 times more in women than men?

An autoimmune disease, it can turn fatal if not treated early 

If you are a young woman and having a butterfly-shaped rash on cheeks, coupled with fever, joint pains and fatigue, better watch out! It probably is Lupus, an auto-immune disease, which could turn fatal if not treated early.

Lupus is a chronic disease. It causes inflammation (pain and swelling), affects the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system and other organs of the body. It mostly affects women in their 20s and 30s and occurs 10 times more in women than men. The other symptoms include weight loss, blood clots, poor circulation to fingers and toes. Pregnant women could have miscarriages.

In Lupus, the immune system, which normally protects the body by making antibodies that attack foreign germs and cancers, starts producing auto-antibodies targeting the patient's own tissues. “We are seeing more patients with the disease now,” said Dr. Raj Kiran, Consultant Rheumatologist, CARE hospitals. However, due to lack of awareness, patients were turning up late when the disease has progressed and affected vital organs like kidneys. Describing it as a “peculiar disease”, he said it needed more attention because young women in childbearing age were affected.

Side effects

If untreated, the disease would progress and the patient would die. At the same time, medications for the treatment cause side effects. Unlike in many other cases, Lupus patients require constant monitoring as the disease could flare up suddenly. A judicious balance needed to be maintained to prevent its progress and reduce side effects of drugs. While no definitive data is available in India, the prevalence could be one in every thousand, he added. The mortality rate could be one in 100 patients if vital organs like kidneys or brain were affected. It mostly gets triggered by some infection, environmental changes and at times by drugs. However, drug-induced Lupus would be mild most of the times, he added.

With women from weaker sections increasingly getting affected, Dr. Raj Kiran said that he planned to establish a foundation with the help of NGOs to extend support to such patients as the treatment was quite expensive. The foundation would also take up research and build data on Lupus patients.

Christina Harvey

Christina Harvey

Please give this a watch. As most of you know I was diagnosed with Lupus in Jan 2017 after almost losing a few of my toes. I had absolutely no idea what Lupus was. These people inspire me and give me hope. I can relate to just about everything they are saying. I teared up watching just knowing Im not alone. I hate disappointing people and lately I have had to cancel many event due to the pain, lack of energy or drs appointments. Its hard making people understand a disease you dont even understand yourself. I am really thinking about organizing a walk and/or some fundraisers for Lupus awareness and research. Would any of my family and friends be interested??? Tommy Wright Stephanie Wright Jennifer Wright Jessica Wright Frankie David Harvey Alexandra Wright-Phipps Maxine Poteet Joseph Hunt Nikki Wilkins Angela Brown Sarah Stine Mickie Knuckles Selena Johnson Larry Ferguson

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=uip4ChFbeVo

TAME THE WOLF AND TAKE CONTROL

 “TAME THE WOLF AND TAKE CONTROL’
The word ‘lupus’ originated from the Latin word ‘wolf’. It’s attributed to a 19th century physician who used it to describe rashes or scarred irritations on the skin of his patients that looked like the bite of a wolf.

The wolf is considered as a ferocious animal which ravages just like lupus does. 

Lupus is life – threatening, unpredictable and can damage organs in the body.

Living with lupus is like living with a wolf in the inside. Do we allow the wolf (lupus) to ravage our bodies or find ways of taming it?

Taming the wolf involves taking measures to ensure we keep lupus under control.

Together we can make a difference by joining forces to educate lupus warriors and the public about Lupus.

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Lupus and Tendonitis

Lupus and Tendonitis

Inflammation is the most common reason for muscle pain and aches. Any time that major inflammation exists ("strep" throat, hepatitis, cancer, lupus, acute heart attack, etc.), signs and symptoms often include fevers, sweats, chills, fatigue, weight loss, and various muscle aches, pains and weakness. These non-specific, non-diagnostic symptoms are signs of your body's inability to cope with whatever process has overwhelmed it. Because lupus is an inflammatory disease it may cause any of these problems. These myalgias are a secondary part of the overall disease.

What AreTendons?

Tendons are tough, flexible, fibrous bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. When tendons become inflamed, irritated or suffer microscopic tears, the condition is called tendonitis. Tendons can be small, like the delicate, tiny bands in the hands, or large, like the heavy, ropelike cords that anchor the calf or thigh muscles. In most cases, the cause of tendonitis is unknown; when a cause can be identified, the condition usually happens for one of two reasons: 

• Overuse – A particular body motion is repeated too often.
  
• Overload – The level of a certain activity, such as weightlifting, is increased too quickly.

Rarely, tendonitis is caused by an infection, such as gonorrhea. Tendonitis is most common in the shoulder, elbow, knee, wrist and heel, although it can happen anywhere that tendons are found in the body. For uncertain reasons, tendonitis is also common in people with diabetes. In recent years, a rare cause of tendonitis (or other tendon disease, including rupture) has been recognized: the use of certain antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin. Why this happens is unknown

A tendon is a strong rope-like structure made of tough fibers that attaches muscle to bone. A bursa is a small sac containing a slippery fluid that is usually found near a joinand allows muscles, bones, and tendons to move easily. Tendonitis (irritation of a tendon) and bursitis (irritation of a bursa) are usually due to damage or overuse of a joint. Pain is the major symptom of both conditions. Different areas of your body may be affected; common areas include the elbow (tennis elbow), the finger (trigger finger) and the shoulder. In addition, tendons and bursas are both lined with synovial membrane, which is a target for inflammation in lupus arthritis.

10 Early Signs of Lupus

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling (inflammation) and a wide variety of symptoms. Lupus affects each individual uniquely. Some people have only a few mild symptoms and others have many, more severe symptoms.

Symptoms usually start in early adulthood, anywhere from the teen years to the 30s. As with some other autoimmune diseases, people with lupus generally experience flare-ups of symptoms followed by periods of remission. That’s why early signs are easy to dismiss.

Because early symptoms are similar to those of so many other conditions, having them doesn’t necessarily mean you have lupus.

Fatigue

whopping 90 percent of people with lupus experience some level of fatigue, according to the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center. An afternoon nap does the trick for some people, but sleeping too much during the day can lead to insomnia at night. It may be hard to do, but if you can remain active and stick to a daily routine, you may be able to keep your energy levels up. 

 you are living with debilitating fatigue, speak to your doctor. Some causes of fatigue can be successfully treated.

Unexplained Fever

One of the early signs of lupus is a low-grade fever for no apparent reason. Because it may hover somewhere between 98.5 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit, you won’t necessarily think to see a doctor. People with lupus may experience this type of fever in an on-again, off-again fashion. Low-grade fever could be a sign of inflammation, infection, or imminent flare-up. If you have recurrent, low-grade fevers, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Hair Loss

Thinning hair is often one of the first signs of lupus. Hair loss is the result of inflammation of the skin and scalp. Some people with lupus lose hair by the clump, but more often, hair thins out slowly. Some people also have thinning of the beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other body hair. Lupus can cause hair to feel brittle, break easily, and look a bit ragged, earning it the name “lupus hair.”

Lupus treatment usually results in renewed hair growth. However, if you develop lesions on your scalp, hair loss in those areas may be permanent.

Skin Rash or Lesions

One of the most visible signs of lupus is the butterfly-shaped rash that appears over the bridge of the nose and both cheeks. About 50 percent of people with lupus have this rash, according to the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center. The rash can occur suddenly or appear after exposure to sunlight. Sometimes the rash appears just before a flare-up.  Lupus can also cause non-itchy lesions in other areas of the body. Rarely, lupus can cause hives. Many lupus patients are sensitive to the sun, or even to artificial lighting. Some experience discoloration in the fingers and toes.

Pulmonary Issues

Inflammation of the pulmonary system is another possible marker of lupus. Not only can the lungs themselves become inflamed, but the swelling can also extend to lung blood vessels. Even the diaphragm may be affected. These can all lead to chest pain when you try to breathe in, a condition often referred to as pleuritic chest pain.  

Over time, breathing issues from lupus can literally shrink lung size. Also called vanishing (or shrinking) lung syndrome, this condition is characterized by ongoing chest pain and shortness of breath. The diaphragmatic muscles are so weak that they appear to move up in CAT scan imagery, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.

Kidney Inflammation

People with lupus can develop a kidney inflammation called nephritis. Inflammation makes it harder for the kidneys to filter toxins and waste from the blood. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, nephritis usually begins within five years of the start of lupus.

Symptoms include swelling in the lower legs and feet, and high blood pressure. You may notice blood in your urine, or have to go more frequently at night. Also, you may have a pain in your side and your urine may be a bit darker than usual. Early signs may go unnoticed. Once diagnosed, monitoring of kidney function is recommended. Untreated lupus nephritis can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Painful, Swollen Joints

Inflammation can cause pain, stiffness, and visible swelling in your joints, particularly in the morning. It may be mild at first, gradually becoming more obvious. Like other symptoms of lupus, joint problems can come and go.

over-the-counter pain medications don’t help, see your healthcare professional. There may be better treatment options, but your doctor must determine if your joint problems are caused by lupus or another condition, such as arthritis.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Some people with lupus experience occasional heartburn, acid indigestion, or other gastrointestinal problems. Mild symptoms can be successfully treated with over-the-counter antacids. If you have frequent bouts of acid indigestion or heartburn, try cutting down on the size of your meals. Avoid beverages containing caffeine. Don’t lie down right after a meal. If symptoms continue, see your doctor so other conditions can be ruled out.

Thyroid Problems

t’s not uncommon for people with lupus to develop autoimmune thyroid disease. The thyroid helps control your body’s metabolism. A poorly functioning thyroid can affect vital organs like your brain, heart, kidneys, and liver. It can result in weight gain or weight loss. Other symptoms include dry skin and hair, as well as moodiness.

An underactive thyroid is known as hypothyroidism and an overactive one is called hyperthyroidism. Various treatments to get your metabolism back on track are available.

Dry Mouth, Dry Eyes

If you have lupus, you may have dry mouth. Your eyes may feel gritty and dry, too. That’s because some lupus patients develop Sjogren’s syndrome, another autoimmune disorder. Sjogren’s syndrome causes malfunctioning of the glands responsible for tears and saliva. In some cases, women with lupus may also experience dryne

Your doctor can prescribe medications that help increase tear and saliva production.

Other Symptoms

The list of potential symptoms of lupus is lengthy. Other symptoms include muscle pain, chest pain, osteoporosis, and depression. Rare symptoms include anemia, dizziness, and seizures.

Fortunately, not everyone gets every symptom. While new symptoms can appear on the scene, old ones often disappear. 

Living With Lupus: Part 1 By Michaela

A LIVELY GURL

Living & Loving Life

Living With Lupus: Part 1

Hello, its been a couple of days since I have posted. Not to make excuses or anything but I haven’t been feeling all that great. I have said before that I want this to be a real experience with you guys and that this is my life blog. With that being said, Tuesday I went for another Benlysta infusion(that was my fourth infusion) for my Lupus and everything went pretty good for the most part but I did experience some of  the side effects the rest of the say and most of the night. I was very sleepy because of all the before meds that they gave me to prevent allergic reactions and I had some nausea and a headache the rest of the day. That night, my headache got worse and turned into a migraine and 1:30 in the morning. Along with that my nausea returned. So I had a pretty hard night and to make things worse I had to get up early the next day and go to work after not getting much sleep.

Overall I do think this drug is helping control the Lupus and I have been feeling better the last couple of weeks. In august I will go see my doctor and will get to evaluate how much progress I have made in the last couple of months.

On an even more positive note I received my debit card from the Benlysta company to help pay for the treatment because believe me they are not CHEAP! I was so happy to hear that we qualified for the financial assistance program that the company offers. If any of you are currently on Benlysta or have been of the drug previously, feel free to leave your comments below on how it affected you. Also if any of you would like some more info on the drug I will add a link to their website you can check it out. This is not a sponosered post in any way. I am just writing about what i am currently going through because this is part of my life and i want this blog to be open to you guys and make you feel like you really know me. Anyways thats my update on my Lupus. Let me know what you guys think about these kind of posts or leave comments below about hard times you are going through.

Talk to you guys soon

Her blog is

https://mcbeautymatters.com/about-me/

Arachnoiditis Often Misdiagnosed as Chronic Back Pain

JUNE 13, 2016 / DR. MUHAMMAD MIRZA

An arachnoid is a membrane that covers and helps protect the nerves of the spinal cord. When these membranes becomes inflamed it can lead to pain, burning, tingling, and even neurological problems. Long-term sufferers experience bowel dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, and even lower-extremity paralysis. Until now, there have been no common symptoms used to diagnose this condition. Clinicians did know that it usually affects the nerves of the legs and back. But now a new report finds that many of those suffering from arachnoiditis are often misdiagnosed with mere chronic back pain.

Those who have leg tremors or experience intense pain after standing for too long are now thought to have this condition. Forest Tennant, MD was the lead author in this study. He is a pain specialist from the Veract Intractable Pain Clinic in West Covina, Calif. Dr. Tennant said that those patients who come in complaining of severe back pain, and have an inability to stand for long periods without having to sit or lie on the floor, could have arachnoiditis.

Tennant conducted this study to help better understand and identify the symptoms of this worrisome condition. He recruited 26 patients who were diagnosed with the spinal cord disease via an MRI. Next, he examined what specific symptoms they reported. Patients all talked about tremors in the legs, and having to sit or lie down after standing for too long. Most patients also had difficulty defecating and urinating, felt increased episodes of intense heat and sweating, and occasionally experienced blurred vision. Never before has consistent symptoms for arachnoiditis been isolated like this.

There are many causes to the condition including compressed nerves in the spine, back injury, infection, exposure to certain chemicals, and more. Researchers say though uncommon, the condition very often goes undiagnosed. Spinal manipulations, epidurals, and spinal taps have increased over the last decade, and Dr. Tennant wonders if these are contributing to the increase in arachnoiditis cases. If you suffer from chronic back pain be sure to visit a doctor or specialist. You never know what may be causing it, how serious it is, and to what extent you are in need of medical intervention.