Lupus

By
Vana Meadows

Ms.Pangle
English III
February 9, 2012

Outline
Thesis: Although lupus can be very devastating, knowledge of causes, symptoms, diagnosiss, and treatments can greatly affect the patient and those close to the patient. I. Excerpt II. Description III. Causes
A. Genes
B. Environment IV. Symptoms V. Diagnosis A. ANA tests B. Anti-DNA antibody tests VI. Treatments A. Medications B. Costs

Lupus
“…only 10 percent of lupus patients have a familial connection and only 5 percent of children born to individuals with lupus will develop the disease. People of African, American Indian, Asian, and Hispanic origin seem to develop the disease more frequently than do non-Hispanic Caucasians. Lupus affects both men and women, but the incidence is ten to fifteen times higher in women in their late teens to thirties.”(Beattie par. 2) Lupus is an autoimmune rheumatic disease, influencing the immune system or musculoskeletal systems. With lupus, the immune system ceases to defend the body from illness and cancers and in turn commences on attacking the body’s own organs and tissues. There are three varieties of lupus: Discoid lupus (DLE), Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and drug induced lupus erythematosus. The strictly external form of lupus, only affecting skin and hair is DLE. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is generated from the use of a prescription drug, normally disappearing after use of the drug is discontinued. The most common form of lupus is SLE. SLE is external and internal, making any organ susceptible to the autoimmune process. (Pratt p.5-6 ) Lupus can be cause genetically or environmentally, it is different for each patient. Many genes act together to determine a person’s chance to be diagnosed with SLE. Compliment gene deficiencies like 31q deficiency is very rare but gives a one hundred percent likelihood of developing lupus. Other complement gene deficiencies such as C2 and C4 gene deficiency increase the chance for SLE, but not one hundred percent. Environmental surroundings and life habits of a person may also increase the chance for lupus or may trigger symptoms of lupus. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, air pollutants (such as cigar and cigarette smoke, smog, and dust), illness and infections, extreme stress, sleep deprivation, inadequate medical monitoring, and excessive amounts of alfalfa or products containing alfalfa will trigger symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. ( Ann p. 20-21 ) Patients of lupus all have different symptoms, all varying in severity. One common symptom with all types of lupus is a rash, or rashes. Lupus patients may form a butterfly shaped rash over the cheeks and nose called a malar rash, or a discoid rash which is variably shaped patched with loss if pigment and hair follicles. Arthritis is another very common symptom, causing pain and swelling between two or more joints. Inflammation of the sac around the heart or lungs, called serositis, is also a symptom. ( Pratt p. 13-23 ) Hair loss may also occur from medications or the disease. The body’s immune activity might destroy the hair follicles, stop hair growth, and result in regional loss of hair. Hair follicles may be salvaged and implanted back in with steroids for hair growth again. Approximately half of women diagnosed with lupus lose their hair. ( Ann p. 38 ) A very common symptom amongst lupus patients is muscle pain. Typically, the first areas to bcome affected are the neck, pelvic girdle, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms. The muscles may start with a burn, then become painful and weak. Myosis, or inflammation of the muscles, occurs in abou fifteen percent of SLE cases. Serious damage may occur to the mucles such as muscle weakness and loss of strength. For some lupus cases, the primary symptom of SLE happens to be a blood disorder. The significant hematological symptoms of lupus include anemia, thrombocytopenia, clotting disturbances, and low