Did it ever occur to you that one day you’ll wake up sick and never get better? Well, 60,000 Americans find themselves fighting an autoimmune disease referred as Lupus. There are different types of Lupus, the most common form of Lupus is called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. (S.L.E) This kind of Lupus causes internal inflammation to organs, joints, and tissue. Also, another type of Lupus is Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. (D.L.E) develops as a rash on the skin after being exposed to sunlight or fluorescent light. (“What You Should Know about Lupus,”n.d)
The exact cause of Lupus is still unknown, on the other hand, researchers are certain that females are prone to be diagnosed with Lupus. Woman especially between the ages of 15 and 44 years old. More importantly, Lupus has advanced among certain racial and ethnic groups: African American, Hispanic/latina, Asia, and Native American woman have a greater risk of developing Lupus. (“What You Should Know about Lupus,”n.d)
Furthermore, Lupus is a complicated disease. Not every case
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Once diagnosed, doctors primary focus is to find an effective treatment to precisely control and prevent any organ damage high cholesterol, high blood pressure and infections. Some patients might be prescribed with anti-inflammatory medications(NSAIDs) to relieve and reduce stiffness and discomfort in your muscle, joints and other tissues. Anti –Malarial, such as Plaquenil. Corticosteroid, usually prescribed only when anti-inflammatory and antimalarials medications are not efficiently working. Immunosuppressive drugs, to help patients who have received an organ transplant to prevent the bodies from rejecting the organ. As well, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a mild male hormone that treats symptoms of mild to moderate lupus, such as hair loss, joint pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. ("Lupus Medications and Treatment Options."
In nearly 85% of patients with untreated SLE test positive of dsDNA. This finding shows that it is probable SLE even though it is not always present in every case, but because it is not seen positive with other connective tissue problems, it is associated with Lupus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems (Weinstein, 2011). It is characterized by a stable disease process with episodes of active disease flare-ups. (Daleboudt, Berger, Broadbent & Kaptein, 2011). SLE primary affects women of childbearing age and it has been hypothesized that this is due to circulating estrogen levels (Bernknopf, Rowley, & Bailey, 2011). Diagnosis of SLE and organ involvement is made through laboratory testing. Patients with SLE have an increased risk for renal failure and heart failure and thus need to be monitored closely (Robinson, Sheets Cook, & Currie, 2011). A referral to a rheumatologist should be made upon suspicion of SLE (Weinstein, 2011).
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory and an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissue (Rheumatoid arthritis, 2017). This disease affects the entire body, which is called a systemic (means entire body) disease. Arthritis is derived from the word part arthr-, which means “joint,” and -itis, which means “inflammation,” so altogether it means “inflammation of the joints.” It creates inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of joints (synovium) to thicken. About 1.5 million people in the U.S. are affected. It affects all races, but it affects three times as many women than men (What is Rheumatoid Arthritis, n.d.). Overtime, rheumatoid arthritis causes painful swelling that can potentially result in bone erosion or joint deformity, which leads up to physical disabilities. RA can affect more than just your joints, but can spread to body systems, skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels, e.t.c (Rheumatoid arthritis, 2017).
Lupus is more common in women than men, and although it can affect people of all ages, it is most commonly developed between 15 and 40. Lupus is also more common in African Americans, Hispanics and Asians.
Males and females appear to be affected proportionately. Crohn’s disease can occur in people of any age, but it is mostly a disease of adolescents and young adults. However, Crohn’s disease may occur in people over 70 years old and in young children (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, 2009). “Crohn’s disease appears to be caused by a dysfunctional inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract” (U. S. News, 2009). Inflammation is the body’s natural way to heal by sending immune cells to the site of the injury or invader.
Lupus affects women more than men(www.womenshealth.gov). Lupus doesn’t come from a spider bite. Lupus means wolf in Latin in place of red ulcerations on the face(www.lupus-support.org). Nine out of ten people who get lupus are women, some have more problems with lupus than anyone else, but anyone can get lupus(www.medicinenet.com). It’s no reason why some have more problems than other’s(www.medicinenet.com). Lupus is three times more effective to African American women, than Caucasian women, it’s more common and severe in other minority populations, the cause of lupus is unknown(http://sciencelife.uchospitals.edu). Even though the cause of lupus isn’t known the genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors help in susceptibility(http://thelupusinitiative.org).
Makover, M. & Zieve, D. (2011, February 14). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved July 14, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001471/
Rheumatoid Arthritis is when the joints are chronically inflamed, which happens because it is an autoimmune disease which means that the immune system attacks the body tissues. Although Rheumatoid Arthritis mainly affects the joints, it can also affect other organs.
All human bodies have an immune system, which is a complex network of cells and organs that protect the body from germs and other foreign substances. A mistake can make the body unable to tell the difference between foreign substances and the body’s own cells. When this happens, the body makes auto-antibodies that attack body cells by mistake. When a foreign substance invades your body (like a cold virus or bacteria on a thorn that pricks your skin) your immune system attacks it. It tries to identify, kill and get rid of the invaders that might harm you. But sometimes problems with your immune system cause it to mistake your body’s own healthy cells as invaders and then repeatedly attack them. This is called an autoimmune disease.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects 125 million people world wide according to the World Psoriasis Day consortium. The origin of psoriasis is unknown, but many doctors and researches believe that genetics, along with environmental factors, trigger a hyperactive reaction of the immune system that leads to the relatively harmless, yet uncomfortable skin disease. The response of the immune system induces skin cells to multiply and mature rapidly, causing the skin cells to accumulate on top of each other and as a result, the skin becomes red, scaly, itchy, and forms thick patches on the skin. Despite that this disease is the most frequent auto-immune disease in the world, there is no cure for it. Not only is there no cure for psoriasis, but this disease can lead to other problems depending on the severeness of the disorder for example: psoriatic arthritis. However, this chronic disease has several treatment options that if used correctly and in a timely manner, will reduce and lessen the symptoms.( Although there is no cure for psoriasis, understanding how it begins, recognizing the symptoms, and learning about treatment options can enhance the quality of life for a person diagnosed with psoriasis.)
Psoriasis can occur in anyone, but there are many groups that are at a higher risk. As mentioned above, genetics plays a role. One out of three cases of the disease have had it in their family. Age is also a risk factor. The disease appears most often in adolescence or after the age of sixty. Also, Caucasians are more susceptible to it, whereas African Americans have the lowest overall incidence of it.
Patient currently takes Sulfasalazine and Ibuprofen, but still with only partial control-should have better psoriatic control. Patient has also tried Plaquenil (allergic), Prednisone, Celebrex (allergic), Ultram, Meloxicam, Flexeril, and Depo-Medrol. Patient cannot take Methtrexate or Arava due to alcohol use. Patient has fear of using Humira and Enbrel due to having to give self-injections and all the potential side effects that she has read about; however, patient disease is not controlled and we need to get her on a medication that will control her disease that she will actually take. Patient still with joint pain and swelling in both
It is prescribed after many types of injury, illness, or disease, including amputations, arthritis, cancer, cardiac disease, neurological problems, orthopedic injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. The Institute of Medicine has estimated that as many as 14% of all Americans may be disabled at any given time. (n.d.)
One of the most common mysteries in the world is the development of autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease is when the immune system, which usually keeps your body healthy thinks that your healthy cells are antigens and attacks them. This is irony right? It is against properties of evolution for an immune system to attack itself causing sickness and possibly death if untreated. There are about 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, which usually have periods of little to no symptoms and worsening symptoms. What particularly creates confusion in the world is the autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, which affects almost about five million people worldwide.
One should not use the medication if one have : • extreme liver or kidney problem • anemia ( deficiency in blood cells ) • asthma or other severe allergies • HIV AIDS • thyroid