Lupus is a very complicated, complex disease which is why there are still so many little know facts about it. Lupus is also not easily diagnosed.  When someone has Lupus, their body literally starts attacking its own cells and tissues. This autoimmune rheumatic disease is known to affect specific parts of the body like the nervous system, kidney, skin, lungs and several other organs.

Since there are so many little known facts about Lupus we have written 5 unique things about this disease that you should know.

Who Dos Lupus Affect?
Lupus is more common in people ages 18 to 45 years and women are 10 times likely to get Lupus men, although men and children may also be affected. Certain races are at higher risks. A recent study revealed that people belonging to Asian, Hispanic, Afro American and other colored races are more prone to Lupus than whites.

What are the signs and symptoms of Lupus?
While there are a wide range of symptoms we have listed some that are more common, but the symptoms depend on the part of the body that is affected by the disease. Here are some of the very common symptoms of this disease:

Pain in the joints similar to the pain in arthritis.
Rashes on different parts of the body.
Neurological health problems and similar other problems.
Problems associated with the functioning of the kidney.
Improper functioning of the body’s immune system.

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How to gauge its severity?
The severity of Lupus is defined based on the significance of the body part it affects and the extent to which it affects. In some cases, Lupus just affects the skin or some minor body parts. In these cases, a more conservative treatment method involving the use of non steroidal drugs works well for the patient. The common drugs used to treat this type of Lupus are Ibuprofen and plaque-nil.

Lupus can also be severe and life threatening. If the ailment is life threatening, immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroids prove to be a better treatment. The doctor evaluates the patient and tries to gauge the risk and the benefits of the treatment method before fixing the ideal option.

Lupus is very unique and complex, but can be broadly classified into 5 unique categories. 

Discoid Lupus

This variant is known to affect the skin of the patient.

Drug Induced Lupus

Just as the name suggests, this variant of Lupus is a result of some drug that reacts adversely with the body.

Systematic Lupus Erythematosus

This is a type of Lupus that is known to affect joints and other body organs. It is often misunderstood as a case of arthritis.

Neonatal Lupus

Lupus is a disease that may affect people of all ages. The variant that affects new borns is referred to as Neonatal Lupus.

Sub Acute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

This is a distinct variant that does not cause scar or lesion on skin.

How it is diagnosed?
Diagnosing Lupus is very difficult because symptoms can vary and be unique for different people. Many symptoms are similar to other health problems making it even harder to diagnose.  The seriousness of the disease is defined based on its symptoms and their severity.

These symptoms also decide how the disease needs to be managed.

If this disease is detected early and continuously monitored, then the patient can lead a normal life under medication. Only in rare cases where the disease affects critical parts of the body, it may cause serious implications.

The best way to lead a better life is to take the initial symptoms seriously so that the ailment can be detected early. If you are aware of the above mentioned facts and take necessary steps and proper care, you may lead a healthy life. Knowledge about the ailment is essential so that care may be given on time.