lupus Essay -- essays research papers

What is happening in look for? Many doctors and scientists are investigating the cause and cure of lupus. At medical centres worldwide (including Canada), research has led to improved tests and techniques for diagnosis and better methods for predicting flares. These allow doctors to start treatment sooner, which improves chances for success.As part of research, many centres collect and store patient information and statistics. The results of this info can help doctors and patients make better decisions about treatment of an increasingly wide range of symptoms. This, along with todays advances in technology, the greater awareness about lupus, and the assure of a cure, gives hope to all whose lives are touched by lupus.LupusLupus The disease with 1000 facesWhat is lupus? Lupus is a chronic disease with a variety of symptoms ca utilize by light in one or more parts of the body. It is estimated that it affects more than 50,000 Canadians.Lupus is not contagious and is not related to AIDS or cancer. It belongs in the family of diseases that includes rheumatoid arthritis, threefold sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, and scleroderma.The most common type of lupus is SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). It is a complex and baffling condition that can target any tissue or pipe organ of the body, including skin, muscles, joints, blood and blood vessels, lungs, heart, kidneys, and the brain.There are other types of lupus which mainly affect the skin. A few individuals develop drug-induced lupus as a response to some medications used to treat other conditions. These symptoms disappear when the person stops taking the medication.Who gets lupus? Anyone can women, men, children. Between the ages 15 and 45, eight times more women than men get lupus. In those under 15 and over 45, both sexes are affected equally.What causes lupus? No one knows for sure. What we do know is that, in lupus, the resistant system (the bodys defense against viruses and bacteria) is inefficient to tell the difference between intruders and the bodys own tissues. Trying to do its job, it attacks parts of the body, causing inflammation and creating the symptoms of lupus.Because it occurs most often in women of childbearing age, it seems ... ...ts. Sometimes, x-rays, ultrasound enquiry and biopsies of organ tissues are needed depending on the symptoms and the organs involved. The ANA test The anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test is a critical test in the diagnosis of lupus. A normal immune system makes antibodies to fight infection, but in those with lupus, the immune system makes antibodies against its own tissues. If you have lupus, you make an antibody directed against the nucleus of a cell that contains important cellular functional components such as DNA. Almost all systemic lupus patients receive a positive ANA test, but not all ANA positive tests point to a lupus diagnosis. This is a very important point. If you get a positive test result, it could be pointing to one of a number of autoimmune problems, or to no autoimmune problem at all. It could be without any clinical consequences. Because the results could mean a number of things, it is critical that a rheumatologist evaluate the test. Visible Signs and Symptoms of Discoid LupusSkin Lesions and Scabbing jutting of Extremities and JointsScabbing and skin irritation of the earsIrritation and swelling on the faceThe End