In lupus, the immune system attacks its own healthy cells instead of pathogens.
In normal health it makes immune system of the body proteins that protect the body against diseases. These proteins are called antibodies. The antibodies attach to harmful bacteria and viruses called antigens, which can cause disease.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system attacks healthy body cells and tissues ‘by mistake’, without antigens present. When this happens, the antibodies are called autoantibodies. As a result, inflammation develops and cells and tissues are damaged. As a result, the symptoms of lupus can develop.
Different types of lupus can be distinguished. Discoid lupus is usually limited to the skin. Symptoms include a rash in the form of round, red spots on the face, scalp, trunk, and arms and legs. In general, discoid lupus does not affect the internal organs, but the rash may be accompanied by joint pain.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can organs resulting in inflamed joints, tendons and other connective tissues. There are a variety of symptoms, for example fever, fatigue, weight loss, joint and muscle pain, swollen glands, hair loss, nausea and vomiting. Due to the wide variety of symptoms, the disease can often be mistaken for another condition. The most characteristic symptom of SLE is a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and back of the nose. The symptoms may come on suddenly and abate over the years.
The causes of lupus are unknown, but researchers believe that heredity and environmental factors influence the development of the disease. This disorder often occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 40. In some cases, lupus can be caused by taking certain medications. Lupus is diagnosed using blood tests and other diagnostic studies. You can treat the disease with medicines treatment, depending on the severity of the disease and symptoms.