"Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. Normally the body's immune system makes proteins called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens.
In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against itself. These antibodies -- called "auto-antibodies" (auto means 'self') -- cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body.
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) estimates between 1.5 - 2 million Americans have a form of lupus, but the actual number may be higher. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women. Symptoms and diagnosis occur most often when women are in their child-bearing years, between the ages of 15 and 45."
My oldest sister died from lupus in 1974 at 27 years old and my mother passed away in 1989 from lupus. My middle sister has been diagnosed with lupus and is in and out of the hospital often. Many of my cousins also have it so I see more and more people being diagnosed with this and hope that in the near future a cure can be found. It scares me every day that I might end up with this.
1 comment:
but then again, my m-i-l has had it for years, and a 80+ year old friend has had it for decades, so it isn't necessarily a death sentence, and for someone has fiesty as you, loony, I'm sure it will stay away!
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