Systemic Lupus Erythematous

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Understanding Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematous) Takeia Foxx December 4th, 2012 EDU 100 Ms. O Lupus also called Systemic Lupus Erythematous, or SLE may not have a cure, but it’s a highly treatable condition. People who are affected by Lupus go through many complications on an everyday basis. Not only, do the patients feel pain and the family suffer as well. Lupus can be very detrimental to one’s health. Lupus medications can help lower long-term risk and keep symptoms under control. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, 80% to 90% of people with lupus can expect a normal lifespan with great treatment. (Griffen, pg.1) In the 1950’s mostly everyone died because there were no diagnosis and no treatments available. A…show more content…
If you have lupus you may be extremely tired, have skin rashes or have joint pain. If the disease is more serious, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, blood or nervous system. Nearly all people with lupus have a mild to extreme fatigue. Even mild cases of lupus causes an inability to engage in daily activities and exercises. Increased fatigue is a normal sign that a symptom flare about to occur. Most people have joint pain and arthritis at some point. Almost 70% of people with the lupus disease says that joint and muscle pain were their first sign on the disease. The joints may turn red and feel warm to the touch and may even swell up. Mourning stiffness may also occur. The arthritis often occurs on both sides of the body at the same time, specially in the wrists, small joints, hands, elbows, knees and…show more content…
It is not clear whether these are from lupus itself or whether there related to the general stress and fatigue of having a chronic illness. More severe symptoms such as difficulty with memory loss, concentration, numbness or weakness of the arms and legs are not to common. People with this disease may also develop inflammation of the heart sac, which may cause severe or sudden pain on the center of the left side of the chest that may spread to the neck, back, shoulders or even arms. People may also develop inflammation around the lungs, which may cause a stabbing chest pain and coughing. Many people tend to lose weight when their disease is active. Some people also experience periods of hair loss, either in patches or spread evenly over the head. Usually the hair loss is not permanent. A person eventually develop swollen glands during a flare as well. If you have lupus it is normal to feel sad and down sometimes. After all lupus may force you to make big adjustments in your life. Lupus can sometimes put a strain on your personal relationships, and make it hard to do some of things that you may enjoy. One who has those feelings of sadness or depression that last more than a few weeks should be evaluated and treated. People with a chronic illness such as lupus are at higher risk for

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