Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month: Lupus
More than 1.5 million individuals in the United States have been diagnosed with Lupus , with a reported 16,000 cases being diagnosed each year. Women of childbearing age (15-44) are more likely to develop Lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause damage to any body part (internal organs, joints, skin, etc). It is considered a chronic illness due to the fact that symptoms can last anywhere from 6 weeks to several years. When an individual has Lupus, the immune system malfunctions. With autoimmune disease such as Lupus, the immune system can't differentiate between foreign germ invaders, and healthy tissue. The immune system creates autoantibodies that power through the body, destroying healthy tissue. This can cause inflammation, increase pain, and cause damage in any area of the body. When you hear about Lupus, you also hear about "Lupus flares." Lupus flares occur when your body is experiencing increased amount of symptoms, and you feel more ill. When...