Lupus

Lupus

is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your tissues and organs. Inflammation of your kidneys, joints, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs can be caused by lupus.

Causes: 

  • Genetics – especially people of Latin American and African American decent
  • Family History
  • Hormones
  • Gender- females are more commonly affected than males
  • Emotional stress
  • Pregnancy – women are at a high risk of developing lupus during pregnancy

Symptoms:

  • Rash on the face resembling butterfly wings
  • Other skin rashes
  • Appetite loss
  • Hair loss
  • Fever – unexplained
  • Fatigue
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Pericarditis – chest pain
  • Pleuritis
  • Painful and swollen joints
  • Edema- swelling in legs or around eyes
  • Raynaud phenomenon – certain areas of the body (fingers and toes) can feel cold and appear white then blue
  • Chorea – sudden, jerky involuntary body movements