That's Fit

Recently the disease lupus has come to the front of headlines with the American Idol contestant Leslie Hunt. You can't catch lupus from another person. It isn't cancer, and it isn't related to AIDS. It is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is out of control and it attacks healthy tissues in your body and not germs. The disease can involve many parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. Some of the most common symptoms of lupus are, red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks, painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, chest pain with deep breathing, swollen glands, rheumatoid arthritis, extreme fatigue, unusual hair loss, pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress, sensitivity to the sun, low blood count, depression, trouble thinking, and memory problems. Other signs are mouth sores, unexplained seizures or convulsions, hallucinations, repeated miscarriages, and unexplained kidney problems.

What causes lupus is unknown and there is no cure for the disease. Anyone can get lupus but 9 out of 10 people who have it are women. Talk to your doctor and take a history of your health problems. Many people have lupus for a long time before they find out they have it. I wasn't diagnosed with it until I was 45 years old. It's important that you tell the doctor about all your symptoms. This information, along with a physical examination and the results of blood, urine, and other laboratory tests, helps the doctor decide whether you have lupus or something else.

People with lupus have limited energy and must manage it wisely. Ask your health care team about ways to cope with fatigue. Learn to pace yourself and set realistic goals. Consider support groups to help you over come the depression, anger, and sadness that comes with the disease. Put yourself on a very healthy diet that will help boost the immune system and cut down on inflammation in the body. Try to alleviate stress as much as possible and do moderate daily exercises to build up joint strength. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lupus learn more about the disease at the Lupus Foundation of America.