In addition to being the month of graduations and summer vacation planning and barbeques, May is also Lupus Awareness Month. In fact, according to the Lupus Foundation of America, May 10 is World Lupus Day, a day when people are encouraged to wear purple to help spread awareness for Lupus.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. There are 4 types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus, cutaneous lupus, drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common kind of lupus and will be the focus of the rest of this article.
Part of the body’s immune system to fight off diseases is making antibodies. Sometimes, for reasons we don’t fully understand, the body makes antibodies against itself, and programs the immune system to attack its own cells. The result of these antibodies is inflammation and sometimes cell destruction.
Lupus can cause joint pain, fatigue, sores in the mouth and nose, rashes, swollen glands, abdominal pain, fever, and hair loss. Lupus can also cause damage to internal organs like the brain and spinal cord, heart, blood vessels, lungs and kidneys. Additionally, lupus can cause pregnancy complications.
While anyone can develop lupus, there are some people who are at higher risk. Lupus is much more common in women than in men. In fact, 9 out of 10 patients with lupus are women. Lupus is more common among people aged 15–44. It is more common in people of color than Caucasian people. While lupus isn’t directly inherited, people with a family history of autoimmune disease are at increased risk of lupus.
There is not one lab test to diagnose lupus. Your doctor will use a variety of tests and an evaluation of your symptoms to determine if you have lupus. Your primary doctor may even refer you to a lupus specialist, called a rheumatologist, to help decide if your symptoms and lab results could be lupus.
As of right now, there is no cure for lupus. There are many medications that can help slow down the progression of the disease. It is very important to follow up with your doctor if you are diagnosed with lupus, because untreated lupus can cause worse sickness or even death. Some of the lupus medications are pills, while others are shots or IV infusions. It is also very important to eat well, exercise regularly, and keep stress under control to help with lupus.
So, this year during the month of May, consider posting about lupus awareness on your social media or even consider donating to lupus research. And if you have any symptoms that you think may be related to lupus, please make an appointment with your primary care doctor.
Dr. Alyssa Molina is a physician who sees patients of all ages and provides obstetrical services at Lone Star Family Health Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center operating facilities in Conroe, Spring, Willis, Grangerland, and Huntsville, and serving as home to a fully integrated Family Medicine Residency Program to increase the number of Family Medicine physicians for Texas and our community.