Lupus Research Paper

Words: 802
Pages: 4
Open Document
Symptoms
The symptoms of SLE depend on what part of the body is being attacked. The most common symptoms are: headaches, confusion, memory loss, fatigue, fever, joint pain, stiffness, swelling, skin lesions, shortness of breath, dry eyes, chest pain, white or blue discoloration in the fingers and toes during stressful periods or the cold, and a butter-fly shaped rash, that 55-85% of people with Lupus suffer from, on the face that forms over the cheeks and bridge of the nose (Cassell, Dana K., and Noel Rose, n.p., 2015).
According to Lupus Foundation of America, there are some serious complications that can occur from lupus that will affect the major organ systems in the body such as:
• Lupus nephritis, which is inflammation of the kidneys. …show more content…
• Pulmonary hypertension, which is increased blood pressure in the lungs. This can cause difficult breathing.
Diagnostic tests
“No single test can determine whether a person has lupus, but several laboratory tests may help the doctor to confirm a diagnosis of lupus or rule out other causes for a person’s symptoms. The most useful tests identify certain autoantibodies often present in the blood of people with lupus” (Cassell, Dana K., and Noel Rose, n.p., 2015). Some tests include:
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: A positive test for these antibodies means a stimulated immune system. People with lupus test positive for ANA, but so do people without lupus. “The ANA test simply provides another clue for the doctor to consider in making a diagnosis” (Cassell, Dana K., and Noel Rose, n.p., 2015).
• Urinalysis: The way to tell lupus is affecting the kidneys is to take a urine sample and have it examined. If there is in an increase in red blood cells or protein levels, it has affected the kidneys.
• Complete blood count (CBC) test: This test measures the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin which is found in red blood cells. A low white blood count can show or …show more content…
Development and testing of these new drugs, which are based on compounds that occur naturally in the body, comprise an exciting and promising new area of lupus research. The hope is that these treatments will not only be effective but will also have fewer side effects. Other treatment options currently being explored include reconstructing the immune system by bone marrow transplantation. In the future, gene therapy may also play an important role in lupus treatment (Cassell, Dana and Noel Rose, n.p.,
Show More

Related Documents: Lupus Research Paper

Lupus Research Paper

LUPUS An autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy cells, lupus has no known origin. While its symptoms are primarily recognizable, they can often mimic other diseases, thereby delaying accurate diagnosis. Joint pain, poor circulation and a telltale rash are just three of myriad symptoms indicative of lupus, a disease that inevitably impacts major organs by way of compromising the body's defenses, as well as through invasive steroid treatment that weakens bones. Lupus…

Words 988 - Pages 4

Lupus Research Paper

Lupus is a common systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Lupus has become a well-known disease in the past few years, and more recently due to the fact that singer and actress, Selena Gomez told the world she has been fighting this disease for years now. She also recently posted a picture of her and Francia Raisa, a good friend of Selena’s in the hospital together. She revealed that her conditioned had worsened and she was in need…

Words 757 - Pages 4

Lupus Research Paper

their bodies (Lupus.Org). The disease impacts its victims physically and emotionally, causing great hardship in their lives. Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE or Lupus) can affect anyone at any time in their lives. The mysterious illness has taken the healthcare world by storm because of its definite unknown cause and different reaction in patients. Systemic Lupus Erythematous is a complex disease that has an effect on the body and state of mind of its victims. The body’s immune system helps fight…

Words 716 - Pages 3

Research Paper On Lupus

There is no single diagnostic test that can confirm lupus. Anyone can get lupus, but it most often affects women. Lupus is also more common in women of African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent than in Caucasian women How lupus is treated you may need a special doctor that your healthcare team might include: Rheumatologists—doctors who treat arthritis and other diseases that cause swelling in the joints Clinical immunologists—doctors who treat immune system disorders Nephrologists—doctors…

Words 314 - Pages 2

Research Paper On Lupus

chosen the constellation Lupus as my favorite constellation. Lupus is Latin for wolf. Lupus is my favorite because it also coincides with the late Remus Lupin, who was also a wolf. It is visualized as impaled by a long pole called a thyrsus, held by the adjoining constellation of Centaurus, the Centaur. Consequently, the constellations of the Centaur and the animal were often regarded as a combined figure. (http://www.ianridpath.com/, 2015) In Babylonian times, Lupus was first named as the "Wild…

Words 353 - Pages 2

Lupus Research Paper

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus facts SLE is an autoimmune disease SLE is characterised by the production of unusual antibodies in the blood. The causes of SLE are unknown; however, heredity viruses, ultraviolet light and drugs all may play a role. Lupus symptoms and signs include; Appetite loss Butterfly rash on the face Hair loss Fever Fatigue Photosensitivity Raynaud’s phenomenon Pericarditis Up to 10% of people with lupus isolated to the skin will develop the systemic form of lupus (SLE) Eleven…

Words 474 - Pages 2

Lupus Erythematosus Research Paper

Boucher Health and Human Diseases Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Description Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, otherwise known as SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that has variable signs and follows a worsening and remitting course. This disease occurs in the internal organ system and more then 90 percent of cases transpire in women. It is the most common type of lupus disorder and most people state that they have Lupus when referring to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Etiology SLE is said to…

Words 636 - Pages 3

Lupus: Kidney and Lupus Research Essay

Brown Lincoln College of Technology 11/3/12 Lupus of the Kidney Jennifer Burns ICD 9 Lupus Nephritis Lupus is a chronic disease that can damage any part of the body skin, joints, and organs inside the body. Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In Lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs. Lupus is one of many disorders of the immune system…

Words 1657 - Pages 7

Fibromyalgia Research Paper

168-130 Research Paper December 9, 2014 Fibromyalgia and its effect on the human body I have always been amazed at how the human body can function in spite of less than optimal conditions. There were many disorders that I could have chosen to do research on. I chose fibromyalgia because I have a relative who suffers with it on a daily basis. Perhaps you have seen the Lyrica commercial that shows a woman who now has a happy life thanks to this wonderful drug. Before I started my research, I only…

Words 1437 - Pages 6

Essay on Childhood Vaccinations

and reactions including paralysis, anaphylactic shock, and sudden death. Opponents believe that these risks just aren’t worth taking. It is also believed that certain vaccines can cause auto-immune disorders, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and other disorders. Vaccines also cause immune system suppression. This could ultimately lead to permanent damage to the natural immune system. Children who do not undergo vaccinations are thought to strengthen their immune systems through fighting…

Words 1438 - Pages 6