Abstract Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many different systems in your body. There are several types of lupus and each can affect the body’s systems differently by varying degrees. The bodily system most effect by lupus is the immune system. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system attacks its own bodily cells and tissues. This triggers a non-specific response resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. In a person who has lupus B-cells and T-cells become hyperactive. Lupus also causes deficiency in the regulatory T-cells which control the immune response system. This causes a large increase in the production of autoantibodies which attack the body’s own cells. 1.5 -2 million people have been …show more content…
diagnosed with a form of Lupus in the United States. Scientists have yet to be able to find an exact cause to Lupus. Due to the many different systems that can affected by Lupus diagnosis can be a long process. Lupus is an incurable disease there are medical treatments that can be used. The use of immunosuppressive drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids are used to treat Lupus. Lupus There are several different types of diseases that can affect the human body. Auto immune diseases occur when the body’s own antibodies begin to attack the body’s health tissues. Lupus Erythematosus is one such disease where the bodies’ cells attack one another, which then harms the body’s tissues and cells. Even though due to the wide range of possible symptoms lupus can be difficult to diagnose. There are several types of lupus that can affect the body differently and it is a chronic inflammatory disease that commonly effects the joints. The immune systems is the bodys main defense against forgiens pathogenes.
Within the in the bodies immune system there are two lines of defense. The first line of defenser being is the non-specific innate immunity. Non-specific immunity repels all microorganisms equally (John H. Humphrey, 2014). The second line of defense is the immune response. The immune response goes after specific invaders. Each line of defense works differently but together they work to keep the body health, and clear of pathogens that are harmfull. The body takes chronological steps to maintain its defenses. The first step being the first line defense. These can include the mucus membranes and the skin. Next is the second line of defense, these come from the non-specific defense sytem. Once pathogens pass through the first line of defense the second line of defense responds in turn through processes of inflammatory response and fever. If both the first and second defenses are incapable of containing the pathogen then a third line of defense is activated. The third line of defense being a specific immune response. Specific pathogens are attacked through the specific immune response by the process of B-cell production of antibodies, which attack the virus or bacteria in extra-cellular fluid (Martini & Nath, 2009). Lastly T-cells proceed to kill the infected cells. The T-cell as well as the B-cell can both be located in the lymph nodes of the
body. The autoimmune disease Lupus most commonly activates a non-specific response which causes the body to have inflammation as well as damage to tissue cells. With lupus the patient has hyperactive B and T-cells. The patient also can have a deficiency in regulatory T-cells. Regulatory T-cells control the body’s immune response. Due to the deficiency and loss of immune response there is an overproduction of auto-antibodies. Auto antibodies such as ANA (antinuclear antibodies) and Antiphospholipid antibodies. ANA attack critical sections of the body’s cells while, Antiphospholipid antibodies lead to stroke, pregnancy complications, cardiac arrest, blood clots, and critical cell damage (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2015). There are several different forms that lupus, ranging from mild to severe. Certain forms of lupus focus primarily on specific bodily organs. Lupus Nephritis is a form of lupus that affects the kidneys. With lupus nephritis the bodys ability to filter waste from the blood is harmed and can lead to dialysis or kindey transplants (Lupus foundation of America, 2015). The most prevalent form of lupus is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE for short. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus encompases a variety of diefferent organ systems that can be affected by lupus. Lupus nephritis falls under the category of SLE as well as the joints, skin, nervous system, and the cardiovascular system (Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 2015). A form of lupus that concentrates cutaneously is Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CCLE).Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosis is found to affect the skin. Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus is a form that is brought on by the useage of certain drugs such as, hydralazine, methylodopa, and anti-TNF (Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 2015). Due to the negative effects that certain drugs are being found to have by induceing the development of lupus, doctors have began to prescribe alternative medications. Neonatal Lupus Erythematosis can occur in chikdren who are born with the particular autoantibodies. Only about 40% of mothes with children who have neonatal lupus actually have lupus themselves, and 1-2% of infants experience congenital heart block as a result from the lupus (Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 2015). Diagnosis lupus can be a daunting task for physictions due to the numerous symptom combinations that can occur. Lupus especially Systemic Lupus Erythematosus have been reffered to as the “great imitator” due to the closeness of symptons it displays to other illnesses (Ginzler & Tayar, 2015). One of the most common syptoms of lupus is the characteristic butterfly rash. The butterfly rash is a red rash that can spread across the individuals nose and cheek bone region. Inflamation of the joints along with pain and swelling is a common smptom experienced by lupus patirnts. The American College of Rheumatology created a vriteria for doctors to use in diagnosising lupus. If a patient displays four out of the 11 symtoms then they are tested for lupus. The symptoms are: Malar rash, Discoid rash, Photosensitivity, Oral ulcers, Arthritis, Serositis, Renal disorder, Haematological disorder, Immunological disorder, Antinucular antibody (Scolding & Joseph, 2002). Diagnosis testing that is involved in testing for lupus depends on the severity if the lupus. Various series of blood tests are used a confirmation tests. The most common blood test is the ANA (Anti-nucular antibodies) blood test. If a possitve ANA test is received then a anti-dsDNA and antri-Sm test is preformed (Grinzler & Tayar, 2015). There is no known cure for the autoimmune disease Lupus. Depending on the seriousness of the disease physictiona can prescribed medication to help with the symptoms, especially in periods of “flare ups” (Grizler & Tayar, 2015). Mild treatment options may involve NSAIDs, Corticosteroid creams, and Malaria medication (hydroxychloroquine) (Starkebaum & Zieve & Black, 2014). Highier doses of corticosteroids as well as Cytoxic drugs are used to treat more severe cases of lupus. Individuals diagnosed with lupus can also help to reduce the symtoms or falre ups of lupus by lifestyle changes. Wearing protective clothing and or sunscreen to protect them from sunlight is one preventative measure. A second preventative measure is to life an active and healthy lifestyle. Most importantly is to become educated on the condition and know what signs to look for. Lupus is an auto-immune disease that affects woman of the child bearing age are more likely to develop lupus at a ratio of 9:1 compared to men (Scolding & Joseph, 2002). Ethnicities of the African, Caribbean, and Asian decent are more likely to develop lupus compared to that of Caucasians (Scolding & Joseph, 2002).With the proper treatments and lifestyle changes individuals with lupus are able to live an almost normal lifestyle into later years of life. In the past 40 years doctors’ diagnoses of SLE have more than tripled (Scolding & Joseph, 2002). Researches are still searching for a definitive cause and a cure for lupus.
The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body, and it defends the body from “foreign invaders.” Immunity can be divided in two three different defenses, and these are defined as first, second and third lines of defense. The first line of defense for the immune system is the primary defense against pathogens entering the body from the surface in order to prevent the start of disease and infection. Some examples of the first line of defense is the skin, protecting the external boundaries of the body, and the mucous membranes, protecting the internal boundaries of the body. Although the skin and mucous membranes work on the internal and external boundaries, they both release chemicals
While SLE is an autoimmune disease, the precise causes that initiate the autoimmune response are unknown; however genetics, hormones, environment, and medications have all been suggested as having a role in the development of the disease. (“Systemic Lupus Erythematosus”, 2012).
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue and organs. This inflammation can damage many different bodily systems. Lupus commonly affects the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, brain and heart. Many people with lupus have found relief for some of their chronic pain through practicing a few different styles of yoga.
When someone has lupus they have a different outlook on life. For patients with this disease, even the easiest task can be painful to the body or joints. Lupus is not contagious. “Lupus is a disease of the immune system. The immune system protects the body from inflection”(http://lupus.webmd.com). With lupus, the immune system attacks the tissue in many parts of the body. Lupus affects women more than men(www.womenshealth.gov). There are many different types of lupus, and each symptom affect different parts of the body. With treatment you can obtain and fulfill a healthy lifestyle.
The job of the immune system is to keep “foreign” invaders out of the body, or if one gets in, to seek it out and kill it. These foreign invaders are called pathogens, which are tiny organisms that can cause an infection in the body. Pathogens can be bacteria, parasites, and fungi (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/pages/whatisimmunesystem.aspx).
Point #1: “Lupus is a chronic (6 wks. -Years), autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system damages any part of your body such as the skin, joints, and organs.”
The bodies first line of defense includes the presence of physical and chemical barriers. These limit entry of microorganisms into the body. “These include: intact skin and epithelial surfaces that act as mechanical barriers, presence of normal micro flora on the skin that compete with pathogens for nutrients and inhibit pathogen growth through lactic acid production, normal flora of throat, colon, and vagina occupy receptors that prevents colonization by pathogens.” (Ogston-Tuck, 2014, p. 55). This also includes secretions which contain antibodies.
This condition occurs when the immune system produce abnormal response against substances that are normally present in the body. The immune system becomes incapable in differentiating healthy body tissues and antigens, which results in the destruction of normal body tissues. This is usually characterized by hypersensitivity reaction almost identical to the response in allergic conditions. The cause of the autoimmune disorders are still unknown, however, there is a theory stating that some microorganisms or drugs may have trigger these changes. These can also affect one or multiple organs or tissues. Some of the most commonly affected are blood vessels, joints, muscles, red blood cells, skin, and connective tissues.
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is one of the humankind’s most mysterious diseases. Multiple sclerosis has the ability to affect nearly 3 million people worldwide. This disease tends to be more common in individuals of northern European descent and women are more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis as men are. Of those 3 million people, most of them are between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. Even though multiple sclerosis is a mystery disease, scientists are working to determine the exact cause and treatment.
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.
¨ No one knows for sure. What we do know is that, in lupus, the immune system (the body's defense against viruses and bacteria) is unable to tell the difference between intruders and the body's own tissues. Trying to do its job, it attacks parts of the body, causing inflammation and creating the symptoms of lupus.
The macrophages engulf and digest the foreign pathogens and leave behind parts of the pathogen called antigens that stimulates the immune system to attack them. The T-lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that can recognize antigens that are not part of the human body (non-self) and attack the human cells that have been invaded by the pathogen associated with this non-self antigen. B-lymphocytes, another type of white blood cell, also recognize foreign antigens and produce antibodies that attack and neutralize the foreign antigens to fight the infection. When a new pathogen is first detected by the immune system, it can take up to several days for the immune system to properly coordinate all the different immune cells required to fight the infection (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). However, once the infection has been eliminated, the immune system has the ability to remember all of the foreign antigens that have entered the body. The memory T-lymphocytes and memory B-lymphocytes will remember every antigen they have ever encountered throughout the human’s lifetime and are able to quickly respond and initiate the immune response if the same antigen is detected again. The immune system keeps a huge supply of “millions and possibly billions of different antibodies on hand to be prepared for any foreign invader by constantly creating millions of new B cells” (How Do Vaccines Work?, 2011). This process of antigen memory and antibody production is also called acquired immunity, and it the basis to understand how vaccines
“But you don't look sick.”. “If you just exercised more you would feel better.” , “It's all in your head.” , “You are just being lazy.”. These phrases are just a hand full of unkind things that people have said to me, simply because they do not understand my disease. Who could blame them? Doctors do not understand it. Researchers do not understand it. My parents do not understand it. My boyfriend does not understand it. Even I cannot understand it. I have Lupus. It is an unresolved disease that millions of people suffer with. Though there are numerous people diagnosed with lupus, there are very few people who know what it is, and how it impacts us from the time we wake up, to when we finally escape our pain with sleep. In this essay, I will explain what we know about lupus, what the symptoms are, and what kind of treatments are accessible for lupus.
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.
The immune system is a fascinating structure it defends the body against foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses and parasites. There are two primary forms that make up the immune system they are, innate and adaptive systems. Both the innate and adaptive system plays a large role in the immune system. The innate is the primary system to defend against foreign materials and the adaptive is the secondary system that responds to specific issues.