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Living With Lupus
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Lupus Awareness is part of the campaign to inform the public about Lupus and the
effects the disease has on those who are diagnosed and their loved ones. You can find
out more by visiting http://www.lupus.org/action/lupus-awareness
Copyright: All rights reserved by Machelle Williams @ chaoticmoments.com
Lupus is an unpredictable, chronic autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body.
Body, Mind, and Soul
An estimated 1.5 Million Americans and 5 million people worldwide are living with
Lupus.
Lupus has many piggyback illness such as Fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s
Syndrome, Raynaud's Disease and Systemic Vasculitis
Be Patient
Lupus causes the part of the immune
system that fights off viruses, bacteria,
and germs to overreact.
The result is the production
of autoantibodies that cause
inflammation and pain.
Don’t Assume
Ninety percent of Lupus carriers are women, though
men can also develop Lupus.
Men often have more
severe symptoms which
can greatly affect daily
living.
Generally Lupus develops
Between ages 15 and 44.
Be Informed
There are between 10 and 20 percent of cases which develop
during childhood.
Be Open mindedCaucasians, are
75% less likely to get Lupus than
other races yet it is possible for anyone
to have Lupus.
A doctor must diagnose Lupus by
investigating the patient’s
symptoms, lab results and medical
history which includes a family
history.
Ask your Family Practitioner for more information.
Lupus is not contagious so it cannot be “given”
to another person.
Be Understandi
ng
Lupus can affect any organ system of
the body. The malar or “butterfly” rash
on the face is present in around one-
third of the people with Lupus.
Lupus is not a form of Arthritis, but many people with Lupus suffer from
joint and/or muscle pain.
Be Courageous
Women with Lupus who are pregnant are considered “high
risk” however nearly 80 percent of the pregnancies end
in successful births.
First degree relatives of people with Lupus
have six times the risk of developing
the disease.
Don’t JudgeNearly three in four people with Lupus said fatigue
limits their ability to participate in social activities.
Nearly seventy-four percent of caregivers report
that caring for someone with Lupus has an impact
on the work productivity.
People with Lupus have two times the risk of developing cardiovascular disease
than those without Lupus. People who have Lupus which affects the skin, poor
mental health is common.
Don’t Question
Lupus flares are triggered by infections, ultraviolet light, stress, medications, and environmental factors.
Sunlight sensitivity can cause fever,
debilitating fatigue, joint pain, rashes
and other symptoms.
Be Supportive People with Lupus are encouraged to exercise daily to maintain muscle and bone strength, but because fatigue is the main symptom of Lupus they must balance activity with proper rest.
.
People undergoing treatment for Lupus can be taking on average nearly eight prescriptions with various and often
serious side effects.
More than half of the people with Lupus have limited work abilities, they either work intermittently or they are unemployed.
Don’t misunderstand
Lupus Flare effects over twenty-three percent of
the people diagnosed with the disease and nearly
forty percent of those are admitted to the hospital
with an average stay of 10.5 days.
As much as forty percent of adults and sixty-six percent of children with Lupus develop kidney complications. About half of all those with Lupus will get a
serious or life-threatening infection.
Be Caring
People with Lupus often develop memory and cognitive problems often referred to as
“Lupus Fog”.
