Lupus is one disease that has been around but I didn’t know what it was about. I remember a women that went to my church suffered from it and I have a good friend that is living with Lupus and managing everyday. When we became friends, I learned a lot about Lupus and how it can really take over your body.

Lupus, an autoimmune disease, happens when the immune system attacks its tissues, causing inflammation, swelling, pain, and damage. Lupus symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, fever, and a lupus rash.

Lupus is a serious health problem that affects mainly young women. The disease often starts between the ages of 15 and 44. People of all races may get lupus. However, lupus is three times more common in black women than in white women. As many as 1 in 250 young black women will get the disease.

Common Signs of Lupus Are:
•    Red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the bridge of  the nose and the cheeks
•    Painful or swollen joints
•    Unexplained fever
•    Chest pain with breathing
•    Unusual loss of hair
•    Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress
•    Sensitivity to the sun
•    Low blood count

We do not know why the disease is more common in black women. However, research doctors supported by the National Institutes of Health are studying this problem. Researchers are studying why minorities are more inclined to get lupus, what causes it to start, and why is it mild in some and severe in others. Other researchers are studying why the signs of lupus differ between black women and white women.

Your treatment will depend on how severe symptoms are, whether organs are involved, and if your daily life is affected.

Home Treatment-Reducing your daily stress will help you control lupus symptoms.

Medications-While medications can’t cure lupus, they can control symptoms — and possibly prevent organ damage.

Surgery-Surgery is only considered when lupus has seriously damaged the kidneys.

Other Treatment- Relaxation therapies can greatly improve your quality of life and good nutrition is important to keeping your body fueled and strong during lupus treatments.

For support groups check with your physician for resources. A good blog recommendation is Molly’s Fund. You can follow http://www.mollysfund.org/blog/. They share information on various lupus related topics.

Information courtesy of http://www.webmd.com/lupus/, http://www.healingwell.com/library/lupus/info3.asp,
#lupus #wearpurple #mollysfund #lupusawarenessmonth #ujima2016 #webmd #healingwell #everydayheroes @ujimamagazine #embracethecommunity
Damita Miller-Shanklin, Ujima Magazine