Know your Disease

Lupus

Is a common chronic inflammatory disease that affects mostly women and occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs.  The inflammation can affect many body systems including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.

Signs/Symptoms

The most distinct sign of lupus is a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across cheeks.  Other signs and symptoms of lupus are:

• Fatigue and fever
• Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during       stressful times
  

Diagnosis/Treatment

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose since there is no one test to diagnose the disease and it's signs and symptoms mimic many other health problems.  A combination of tests, such as blood and urine tests, along with a physical exam and signs and symptoms will help with the diagnosis.  You may be referred to a doctor that specialized in immune system diseases and disorders as well as a Rheumatologist.  If your doctor suspects that the lupus is affecting your lungs or heart they may suggest a chest x-ray or echocardiogram.  Medications your doctor may prescribe to help control your  lupus are, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antimalarial drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppresants.

Effects of Lupus and Prevention

Lupus can increase your risk of depression and other related mental health problems such as anxiety, stress and low self-esteem.  Ways to help you cope with the effects of lupus are learning all you can about lupus, take time for yourself, see your doctor regularly, get plenty of rest, be sun smart, exercise and eat a healthy diet.  There is no known prevention for lupus.

Graves Disease

Is a common immune system disorder that is caused by a multi function in the body's disease-fighting immune system and  results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones.

Signs/Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of graves disease include:

• Anxiety and irritability
  
• A finer tremor of your hands and fingers
  
• Heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin
  
• Weight loss, despite normal eating habits
  
• Enlargement of thyroid gland
  

Diagnosis/Treatment

A physical exam will be given to look for signs of graves disease.  If graves disease is suspected then a blood test will be performed to check the level of the thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine, and a thyroid scan will be performed.  Treatments to help the body produce thyroid hormones and block the effects of 

Effects of Graves Disease and Prevention

When you have graves disease your mental and physical well-being need to be a priority by eating well, exercising, and avoiding stress as much as possible.  Graves disease can also cause complications with pregnancy, cause heart disorders, brittle bones, and thyroid storm.  There is no prevention for graves disease.