Due to its complicated nature, individuals often come to refer to Lupus as the thousand-face disease. In reality, however, Lupus isn’t even a hundred-face disease at all. A person can’t transmit it in any way, sexually, by skin-to-skin contact, or through any other channel.
But in certain instances, especially in women with Lupus, pregnant women can give birth to children that develop some form of Lupus called “lupus maligna.” This form of Lupus can be life-threatening for the child born to such a mother.
The causes of Lupus are complex and poorly understood, but the disease appears to be the result of an imbalance of the body’s immune system, principally the immune system of the digestive tract. In particular, the condition occurs when the body’s antibodies attack the intestine instead of the target bacteria. Since the intestines are involved in the absorption and digestion of foods, any disruption of these functions may lead to problems. When inflammation occurs, the body produces immune cells called antibodies that cause inflammation of the skin and other parts of the body.
In most cases of Lupus, the diagnosis is made by looking at the patient’s urinalysis, blood culture, and biopsy samples. These tests reveal evidence of infection by antibody (antibodies) called ASO-A. The ASO-A antibody reacts with the cells lining the urinary tract, causing destruction of the bladder’s protective mucosa. If a patient has a history of recurrent urinary tract infections, this characteristic may indicate a predisposition to Lupus in the kidney.
Among the other diseases that can make a person predisposed to Lupus causes symptoms in the kidney include patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, obesity, and alcoholism. Patients with Lupus and hypertension have an increased risk of complications such as kidney failure and heart attack. Patients with diabetes also have an increased risk of developing kidney-related conditions such as hypercalcemia and kidney stones. Individuals with a history of drug abuse and alcoholism have been shown to have higher risk of developing kidney diseases, such as nephrotuberculosis and gallbladder disease, as well as a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
Patients with Lupus have blood cells in their blood that attack and destroy bacteria called ankhes. The kidneys are part of the body’s excretory system and help filter and clean the bloodstream. Any damage to the kidneys or inflammation in the blood stream may contribute to the progression of kidney diseases, such as nephrotuberculosis and gallbladder disease, as well as higher blood pressure. Kidney inflammation can result from a variety of factors, including auto-immune disorders, systemic Lupus erythematosus, certain infectious diseases, trauma, or exposure to toxins such as gasoline, pesticides, and insecticides. Researchers have also identified a genetic link between some individuals who suffer from Lupus erythematosus and higher risks of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and infections.
As previously mentioned, inflammation affects various organ systems in the body. Lupus often generates symptoms such as fever, rash, skin rash, and eye irritation. Researchers have been unable to determine the exact causes of these issues, but have found that certain risk factors have been consistently linked to these health problems. These risk factors include genetics, immunological factors, medications, and environmental exposure.
The most common of these factors is genetics. It has been established that carriers of the genes that cause inflammatory diseases are at risk of developing Lupus over a period of roughly one to ten percent of their lifetimes. People who have a close family member who has Lupus, as well as those who carry the genetic marker for the disease, are at the highest risk. Those who live in climates that are susceptible to extreme temperature changes and environments that have high levels of toxins, such as labor or mining towns, also tend to be at risk.
Lupus symptoms can vary widely from person to person and may not affect a person’s ability to carry out typical day-to-day activities. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that medical history and a physical examination by your primary care doctor are completed in order to confirm the diagnosis of Lupus erythematosus, as well as determine if you may have other potential medical conditions. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you contact your primary care doctor as soon as possible: fever, persistent muscle or joint pain, swollen glands, or unexplained weight loss. If your doctor is unable to confirm Lupus symptoms, Lupus testing may be performed in order to confirm your diagnosis.