Lupus ­ The Great Imposter

[Guest guest]

Lupus ­ The Great Imposter

Friday, November 19, 2004

By JO3 a Mater - National Naval Medical Center

BETHESDA, Md. - According to the Lupus Foundation of America, more than

16,000 Americans develop lupus, a disease of the immune system that affects

joints, skin, kidneys and other parts of the body.

Lupus causes the immune system to produce antibodies that react against the

body¹s own tissues. It is a chronic inflammatory condition.

For some, lupus is a mild disease that may only affect the skin and a small

number of organs. Others may experience ³flares,² or more serious problems.

In some cases, the problems can become life threatening.

Lupus has no known cause or cure. Because it mimics other conditions, such

as arthritis, it is nicknamed ³The Great Imposter.² Stratton, a nurse

in the Rheumatology clinic at the National Naval Medical Center, says a

partnership between doctor and patient will help in finding the right

treatment.

³Dealing with lupus takes a multi-disciplinary approach,² said Stratton.

³Your primary-care providers, your rheumatologists, physical therapists, and

so on. Those who are diagnosed with lupus must work hard to find out

everything they can about the disease and work with their doctors so that

the disease can be managed on a constant basis.²

To properly diagnose lupus, a doctor will do an extensive check of the

patient¹s medical history, symptoms and specific blood tests.

About 90 percent of people with lupus are women, but men can also be

affected. It is more prominent in African-Americans, American Indian, and

Asian people and can affect those at any age.

No two people with Lupus have the same symptoms. However, some Lupus

symptoms include:

-Sensitivity to sunlight, such as severe rashes or fever from minimal sun

exposure.

-Arthritis-like pain.

-Pain in the chest and side when breathing.

-Kidney problems.

-Neurological problems, including seizures and mental problems.

-Low white or red blood cell count.

The treatment for lupus includes medications to reduce inflammation. Doctors

also encourage balancing rest with exercise and eating a proper diet.

Because lupus has many different forms and can change, treatment will depend

on the symptoms experienced and the organs affected. Consequently, the right

treatment can take time.

Other steps to help ease the symptoms of lupus include smoking cessation,

reduced alcohol consumption and keeping immunizations current to protect

against infections.

More information on lupus can be found at www.lupus.org, and

www.nih.gov/niams/healthinfo

http://www.navycompass.com/news/newsview.asp?c=132543