October 8, 2001

October is Lupus Awareness Month

BINGHAMTON, NY - October is Lupus Awareness Month. Although many people have never heard of lupus, it is very common. Lupus, which afflicts between 500,000 and 1.5 million Americans, is more prevalent than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, leukemia and cystic fibrosis combined, said Claudia Edwards, Acting Director of the Broome County Health Department.

"But, it is difficult to determine the exact number of sufferers," she said. "Lupus is not easy to diagnose, its symptoms vary widely, and its onset is hard to pinpoint. Also, many people don't know they have the disease, because they don't display any symptoms. Still, more than 16,000 Americans are diagnosed with lupus each year."

This chronic illness affects all races, socioeconomic groups and age groups, she said. Ninety percent of those with the disease are women, and its onset most often occurs between the ages of 16 and 36.

Lupus causes the body's immune system to become hyperactive, turn against itself, and destroy healthy tissue. "That's why it's sometimes referred to as a self-allergy," said Mrs. Edwards.

Lupus can affect virtually any part of the body, including the joints, skin, blood, lungs, brain, heart and kidneys. The most common symptoms, she said, are: painful or swollen joints (arthritis); muscle pain; unexplained fever; extreme fatigue; and kidney problems. A characteristic skin rash may also appear across the nose and cheeks - the so-called butterfly or malar rash.

Other symptoms include; unusual loss of hair; sensitivity to the sun; inflammation of the membranes around the heart or lungs, which causes chest pain upon deep breathing; anemia or other blood abnormalities; weight loss; swollen glands; pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress (Raynaud's phenomenon); swelling in legs or around eyes; and mouth or nasal ulcers.

Lupus is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic those of many other ailments. Lupus is often called, "The Great Imitator," said Mrs. Edwards. It does not typically develop rapidly. Symptoms come and go, and it can take time for the disease to show up in blood tests.

The cause of lupus is unknown. It may be due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and possibly, hormonal factors, she said. The exact cause may differ from one person to another. Lupus can run in families, but this is not an absolute certainty. The risk that a patient's child or sibling will also have lupus is quite low.

If you suspect you have lupus, it is very important to see your health care provider. Although there is no cure for the disease, the symptoms can be controlled, and most people with lupus can lead active, healthy lives. And, if lupus is treated early, it often goes into remission. This is welcome news, said Mrs. Edwards, because a patient in remission does not have to take the medications that many lupus sufferers need to combat symptoms.

Whether or not you are in remission, you still need to care for your illness properly and take steps to prevent outbreaks, she said. To manage this disease, follow your health care provider's instructions carefully. For better health, get plenty of rest, follow a healthy eating plan, avoid alcohol, and check with your health care provider before taking any medication.

For more information on lupus, contact the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.3944.

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