May marks National Lupus Awareness Month. Many people have clouded ideas of what Lupus really is and that could be contributed to the fact that the definition and cause are also a little clouded. There is not a thorough understanding even amongst the medical community as to what exactly causes Lupus.
The known facts about lupus are that it is an autoimmune disease, which means the body starts attacking and destroying its own healthy cells, tissue, and organs. Instead of having a defense system that attacks foreign objects adn material that enter the body like viruses and parasites, the body gets confused and does the exact opposite.
Statistically, lupus affects more women between the age of 15 and 45, during their reproductive years. Men can also have lupus and those that do, usually have it much worst than women. The disease is sought to have a connection with sex hormones, meaning estrogen and testosterone and their are currently studies being conducted to determine the exact relationship between the two and lupus.
This month, please learn a little about this disease and what you can do to help. The main symptom is exhaustion and many patients lack the ability to just wake up and go like the rest of us. It takes them a long time to convince themsel;ves to get out of bed becasue they are either suffering from joint pain or just the result of the body working so hard to fight off something.
Please visit the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Cleveland Chapter or anline at http://www.lupuscleveland.org/ and learn about how you can help change the life of someone with this terrible disease.
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