The Truth About Lupus Bracelets
Those with friends and families suffering from lupus may choose to wear lupus bracelets out of support. Lupus, for the uninitiated, is a chronic disease that greatly affects several areas and parts of the human body. They can be quite mild, but they can also be potentially life threatening in the more extreme cases.
It is a disease that is somewhat mild for a lot of folks. The symptoms are quite manageable, and although there is some discomfort and pain, for most part, everything seems to be okay. But this is not everyone, though. There are some who have developed more serious forms of their symptoms, to the point of being life threatening.
It is considered an idiopathic illness, and as a result, doctors are clueless as to what may cause it to manifest in the body in the first place. A common link that has been pointed out is family history which may suggest a repetition in future generations. This is no genetic link though and none have been established thus far.
Other than family history, other factors have been brought up in discussions. Some say long time usage of particular medications, prescribed or otherwise, can be a potential cause. Others say it is the exposure to sunlight in an excessive way that is to blame. Regardless of cause, a malfunctioning immune system is the root of the problem and may attack cells without any discrimination.
There are a few types to be defined. One is the discoid, which is identifiable by the rashes that appear on the neck, face or scalp. The rash is often red and scaly, causing some discomfort and loss of hair around the areas affected. It is known as a butterfly rash when it is on the face. It usually lasts for a few days, but some lasts for months and even years.
The better known variant is known as systemic lupus. Aside from the rashes caused by the discoid, it may also affect the heart, kidneys, lungs and the nervous system. The number of organ affected at any given time can range from just one to multiple.
More symptoms of systemic include, but is not limited to fatigue, fever, decreased organ function and joint pain. Once in a while, there will be periods of remission, followed by periods of activity that are referred to as flares. These flares may last for weeks, arriving and leaving at random and without explanation.
The process of diagnosing this disease is somewhat complex. Blood tests can help out with inflammation signs as. Organ biopsies can be carried out to check for signs of damage to the liver and the kidneys. Often times, the best diagnostic tool is a complete medical history, so that family histories can be checked.
