Are You Aware Of Systemic Lupus? Important Facts To Know!

When your body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, it results in lupus.

If this inflammation mainly involves your body joints, blood vessels, kidneys and mucus membranes, then it is considered as systemic lupus.

Lupus more frequently occurs in women when compared with men.

Basically, there are four types of lupus, which mainly includes systemic lupus erythematosus, drug induced erythematosus, neonatal lupus and discoid lupus erythematosus.

Among these, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most serious form of lupus.

But, once if you get appropriate treatment then it will be easy for you to cope up with this autoimmune disease.

One of the most important mechanisms that your body immune system uses to fight against infections is the production of antibodies.

But, if you are suffering with systemic lupus, your body immune system mainly produces abnormal antibodies in your blood.

These abnormal antibodies mainly target the tissues within your body rather than fighting with foreign infectious agents.

As the abnormal anti-bodies and its accompanying inflammatory cells mainly involve tissues anywhere in the body, lupus is quite potential to affect many areas of your body.

At times, lupus can cause damage to your skin, heart, kidneys, lungs, joints, and also to your nervous system.

When the inflammation mainly involves your skin, this condition is referred as discoid lupus. On the other hand, if your body internal organs such as kidneys, joints, blood vessels are involved, it is referred as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Is systemic lupus hereditary?

The exact reason for the production of abnormal antibodies is still unknown. But, it is usually believed that inherited genes, viruses, ultraviolet light and also the drugs that you use for other body conditions plays critical role to develop SLE.

Usually, genetic factors greatly increase the tendency of developing autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus, immune thyroid disorders and also rheumatoid arthritis are more common among relatives of persons suffering with some form of lupus.

It is also believed that some women with systemic lupus erythematosus, often experience worsening symptoms of SLE prior to their menstrual periods.

This occurrence, in addition with female predominance of systemic lupus, implies that female hormones plays critical role in the expression of systemic lupus.

Can systemic lupus have any effect on pregnancy or new born?

Most of the pregnant women with this autoimmune disease are considered to be at high risk of experiencing miscarriages or they can face flare ups of SLE. But don’t worry; you can easily avoid such undesired conditions with effective treatments and proper medications.

There is also chance for these inflammatory antibodies to transfer from you to your unborn offspring. So, when you are aware that you have systemic lupus, take proper care of yourself during your pregnancy period and give a healthy life to your baby.