tendency to develop lupus may be inherited. Having such a tendency, however, does not predict that a relative will develop lupus. Only about 10% of people with lupus have a close relative with the disease.
Who Is Affected By Lupus The Most?
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. have lupus. People of African, Asian, and Native American descent are more likely to develop lupus than are Caucasians. Although it can occur in both men and women, 90% of people diagnosed with the disease are women. Women of childbearing age (14 to 45 years old) are most often affected and as many as 1 in 250 people may develop lupus.
What Other Symptoms & Risks Are Involved?
Common symptoms of lupus include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, and skin rashes. Lupus can lead to arthritis, kidney failure, heart and lung inflammation, central nervous system abnormalities, inflammation of the blood vessels and blood disorders. Inflammation causes swelling, pain, and tissue damage throughout the body. If you develop severe lupus, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, or blood cells.
Severe sickness usually results from the most serious forms of the disease. More often, quality of life is challenged by symptoms like fatigue and joint pains, which are not life-threatening. Several unspecified topical therapies had been prescribed during this time although none had resulted in clinical improvement
Can Lupus Be Spread To Others?
Lupus is not contagious. However, conditions such as neonatal lupus syndrome may occur when an infant is born to a mother who has autoantibodies in her blood during the pregnancy. The baby may develop skin lesions, which usually resolve by six months. Neonatal lupus is highly associated with maternal anti-Ro (usually also with anti-La) antibodies, although the rash may occur with anti-RNP antibodies.
What Do I Do If I Have Lupus (or Suspect That I Might Have It)?
There is no cure for lupus, but there are steps you can take to improve your sense of well-being and your quality of life, including:
• Be Aware. Talk to your doctor, and learn as much as you can about the condition, as well as what to expect. In particular, the appearance of the lesions and scars associated with DLE can be emotionally devastating and the effects can have a dramatic negative impact on a person’s quality of life, so being prepared for these changes is very important.
• Exercise. Low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, and biking can help prevent muscle wasting and lower your risk for developing osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). Exercise also can have a positive impact on mood.
• Get enough rest. Pace yourself, alternating periods of activity with periods of rest.
• Eat well. People with lupus should eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can interact with your medications to cause