Information on Lupus. Living with Lupus or having a loved one with Lupus. The daily struggle of chronic illness.

1. Living With Lupus
Looks Can Be Deceiving

2. Lupus Awareness is part of the campaign to inform the public about Lupus and the
effects the disease has on those who are diagnosed and their loved ones. You can find
out more by visiting http://www.lupus.org/action/lupus-awareness
Copyright: All rights reserved by Machelle Williams @ chaoticmoments.com

3. Lupus is an unpredictable, chronic autoimmune disease that ravages different
parts of the body.
Body, Mind, and Soul

4. An estimated 1.5 Million Americans and 5
million people worldwide are living with
Lupus.
Lupus has many piggyback illness
such as Fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s
Syndrome, Raynaud's Disease and
Systemic Vasculitis

5. Be Patient
Lupus causes the part of the immune system
that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs to
overreact.

6. The result is the production of
autoantibodies that cause
inflammation and pain.

7. Don’t Assume
Ninety percent of Lupus carriers
are women, though men can also
develop Lupus.

8. Men often have more
severe symptoms which
can greatly affect daily
living.

9. Generally Lupus develops
Between ages 15 and 44.
Be Informed

10. There are between
10 and 20 percent of
cases which develop
during childhood.

11. Be Open minded
Caucasians, are 75%
less likely to get Lupus
than other races yet it
is possible for anyone
to have Lupus.

12. A doctor must diagnose Lupus by
investigating the patient’s
symptoms, lab results and medical
history which includes a family
history.
Ask your Family Practitioner for more information.

13. Lupus is not contagious
so it cannot be “given”
to another person.

14. Be Understanding
Lupus can affect any organ system of the
body. The malar or “butterfly” rash on the
face is present in around one-third of the
people with Lupus.

15. Lupus is not a form of Arthritis, but many people with Lupus suffer from joint
and/or muscle pain.

16. Be Courageous
Women with Lupus who are
pregnant are considered “high
risk” however nearly 80
percent of the pregnancies end
in successful births.

17. First degree relatives
of people with Lupus
have six times the
risk of developing
the disease.

18. Don’t Judge
Nearly three in four people with Lupus said fatigue
limits their ability to participate in social activities.
Nearly seventy-four percent of caregivers report
that caring for someone with Lupus has an impact
on the work productivity.

19. People with Lupus have two times the risk of developing cardiovascular disease
than those without Lupus. People who have Lupus which affects the skin, poor
mental health is common.

20. Don’t Question
Lupus flares are triggered
by infections, ultraviolet
light, stress, medications,
and environmental factors.

21. Sunlight sensitivity
can cause fever,
debilitating fatigue,
joint pain, rashes
and other
symptoms.

22. Be SupportivePeople with Lupus
are encouraged to
exercise daily to
maintain muscle
and bone strength,
but because fatigue
is the main symptom
of Lupus they must
balance activity
with proper rest.

23. People undergoing treatment for Lupus can be taking on
average nearly eight prescriptions with various and often
serious side effects.

24. More than half of the
people with Lupus have
limited work abilities, they
either work intermittently
or they are unemployed.
Don’t misunderstand

25. Lupus Flare effects over twenty-three percent of
the people diagnosed with the disease and nearly
forty percent of those are admitted to the hospital
with an average stay of 10.5 days.

26. As much as forty percent of adults and sixty-six percent of children with Lupus
develop kidney complications. About half of all those with Lupus will get a
serious or life-threatening infection.
Be Caring

27. People with Lupus often
develop memory and cognitive
problems often referred to as
“Lupus Fog”.

28. Be Exceptional
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