Lupus Erythematosus: Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis of Disease

Systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE is an infectious inflammatory disease caused by the damage of tissues, organs and cells of the body with its own antibodies. Lupus, the symptoms of which are manifested by certain periods, a serious illness of the immune system, during which your cells are perceived by the body as foreign, while substances that damage the skin, vessels, internal organs are produced. SLE is an incurable disease, but most people can control symptoms with drugs and lead an active lifestyle.

Varieties of the disease

Lupus is a disease that has several types of clinical manifestations:

1. Discoid - characterized by a benign clinical form. Appear redness on the face, legs, ears and other parts of the body. And reddening smoothly pass into the "scaly" skin condition. It is worth noting that a small percentage of patients with discoid lupus have a lesion of internal organs and tissues.
2. Systemic - has a sharp shape and a heavy leak. In patients on the body, multiple red spots are observed, sometimes bubbles and blisters are formed. Often there is a lesion of internal organs - lungs, heart, liver and kidneys, and also joints. This type of disease can develop in people aged 15-45 years.
3. Drug-induced - caused by drugs and is characterized by some symptoms of lupus erythematosus (rash, arthritis, chest pain and fever). All symptoms usually disappear after the withdrawal of the medicine that triggered the disease.
4. Neonatal lupus - mainly affects women and newborns who have immune system disorders. In infants, the disease is expressed with a profuse rash, the heart and liver are affected. This type of lupus is a rare phenomenon. Mainly the mother's ongoing illness is not transmitted to the child.

Causes of the disease

Scientists have not yet established the reasons for the development of the disease. However, it is commonly believed that the development of the disease affects: ultraviolet radiation, hereditary factors, infectious diseases (including influenza, ARI or ARVI), hormonal disorders and certain medications.

It is proved that the immune system genetically predisposed to CRS is most susceptible to the effects of the listed factors that cause the disease. A lupus caused by drugs - a fairly rare phenomenon and occurs immediately after their abolition.

What happens during illness

In a person with SLE, a properly functioning immune system does not work. For example, a "healthy" immune system produces antibodies that help the body destroy viruses. And during the disease, the same antibodies are produced, but they destroy the healthy cells of the body. Subsequently, various systems and organs are affected, painful sensations appear, and body temperature rises. Scientists have not yet established how the internal tissues are damaged and inflamed. However, this phenomenon is currently an area of active research.

Lupus Symptoms

The disease occurs in periods: the symptoms can both appear and disappear. Usually, lupus, the symptoms of which are fickle, causes fatigue, pain and swelling of the joints, fever and skin rash. Sometimes there are stomatitis, there are problems with the heart, kidneys and lungs.

Let's look at the common symptoms of SLE.

1. Pain and swelling of the joints.
2. Fever.
3. Rashes on the face, mostly red.
4. Chest pain.
5. Unreasonable hair loss.
6. Sensitivity to sunlight.
7. Swelling of the feet.
8. Pale skin on the hands and feet.

Diagnosis of the disease

To confirm the disease, a comprehensive examination is carried out, which includes clinical, immunological and other studies. For the detection of SLE, the following analyzes are of particular importance: immunofluorescence examination of the affected skin; Detection of characteristic changes in blood and urine: the presence of LE cells, antibodies to native DNA and antinuclear antibodies.

Nevertheless, first of all the red lupus appears on the skin with persistent edematous plaques or erythema. These include: rosacea, lichen planus, polymorphic photodermatosis, sarcoidosis, facial granuloma, seborrheic dermatitis, and others.

Lupus, the symptoms of which are skin lesions, require a doctor who, after all the necessary laboratory tests, will put an accurate diagnosis and make a treatment plan. Skin lesions are one of the main criteria of the disease, but when making a diagnosis on your own, you must be careful not to confuse the disease with other similar ones.

Treatment of the disease

Lupus, the symptoms of which we have already considered, should be treated only after the results of tests that will allow the doctor to determine the type of your illness. When the first symptoms are usually prescribed treatment of foci of inflammation with corticosteroid ointments. To alleviate joint and muscle pain, non-steroid drugs are used - Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Brufen, salicylates - Aspirin.

In chronic form, prescribe drugs quinoline series - "Chloroquine" or "Delagil." The course of treatment is determined by the doctor. Long-term use of them has side effects in the form of nausea, vomiting, headache, tinnitus and visual impairment.

All the information provided is for your reference. Self-diagnosis and treatment entails irreparable consequences for your health.

In due time, contact a medical institution, follow all the prescription of the doctor, follow the prescribed diet and avoid overcooling and prolonged exposure to the sun. Remember, regular walks in the fresh air, health gymnastics and hardening - a pledge of your health and longevity!