Pro-creation and Progression, Diagnosing Symptoms and Staying in Charge of your Life
The Progressive Lupus Disease: Lupus disease is considered an autoimmune disease. What autoimmune means is that your body begins to attack your own immune system. With Lupus, your body produces too many antibodies, which attach to various parts of the body. The excess of these antibodies is what causes inflammation, skin irritations and pain in various areas of the body.
Lupus is most common in women aged 15-45. This can lead to two very important questions. First, because Lupus occurs in women of child-bearing age, can women with Lupus still have children? The answer to this question is Yes. Furthermore, in most cases, Lupus will not affect the baby. You will most likely not pass on Lupus to your child. In those cases that do, your baby may contract neonatal lupus which generally goes away after infancy.
Second, is Lupus a progressive disease? That is, if you have Lupus, will you have it forever and will it continue to worsen? Every person with Lupus is different. In most cases, the symptoms of Lupus are lessened with age. While older people may experience joint and muscles aches, and the occasional flare up, Lupus tends to digress rather than progress with age.
Diagnosing Lupus Disease: It’s impossible to self diagnosis Lupus disease. It is even tricky for a doctor to diagnose Lupus. This is because no two people experience the exact same symptoms.
A doctor will perform several laboratory tests, including a urinalysis and a blood test. He or she will also perform an anti-nuclear antibody test (ANA) and an anti-deoxyribonucleic acid test (DNA) to see how the antibodies are reacting to the human body. However, even these tests do not necessary confirm Lupus.
The Symptoms of Lupus Disease: Lupus disease affects several different parts of your body from your skin and your joints to your kidney, your muscles, your hair and your brain. Some of the most common symptoms include a rash on your cheeks (called a malar rash), a scaly red rash (called a discoid rash), sensitivity to sunlight, nose and mouth ulcers. Others experience arthritis, fever, fatigue, seizures, haematological disorders (blood disorders) and immunological disorders.
Staying in Control and in Charge of Lupus Disease: Being diagnosed with Lupus disease does not mean you are forever plagued with a serious infection. It simply means that you need to take the necessary precautions to stay in control of your life and not let this disease control you.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes wholesome foods and plenty of exercise. Pay close attention to what triggers your flare ups with a diary of your symptoms. Consult your doctor and look to websites and books for more information on Lupus. Avoid toxins such as alcohol and tobacco which can lower your immune system. Also, avoid the sun and others with Lupus, especially during a flare up.
Always listen to your body. If you feel overtired, rest. You if feel stressed out, find a way to relieve this tension. When diagnosed with Lupus, may need to restructure your life a little bit; however, you most certainly do not need to stop living a healthy, happy and adventurous lifestyle.
You are still you own boss, with, or without Lupus disease.
