Now, according to research presented at a conference this week, where your family is from may play a role in the severity of lupus symptoms. A press release issued by EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) states, “According to the results of the research, northern European ancestry is shown to be associated with the relatively milder mucocutaneous (skin) manifestations of SLE, whereas southern European ancestry contributes to more severe manifestations of the disorder such as nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) and increased production of specific autoantibodies (antibodies that fail to recognise and therefore attack the body’s own cells, tissues or organs).”

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Post from: Blisstree

Lupus more severe in patients with Southern European ancestry

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that affects women more than men. There are four types of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, is the most common and serious form.

What are the symptoms?

•  Aching joints
•  Swollen joints
• Persistent fever 
• Prolonged, extreme fatigue
•  Weight loss or weight gain
•  Skin rashes
•  Butterfly shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
•  Easy bruising
•  Pain in the chest on deep breathing
•  Anemia
•  Sensitivity to sun or ultraviolet light
•  Hair loss
•  Abnormal blood clotting problems
•  Fingers turning white and/or blue in the cold
• Seizures
• Mouth or nose ulcers lasting longer than two weeks

Why does it cause pain?

Lupus causes pain in the joints and also muscle pain. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, “More than 90 percent of people with SLE will experience joint and/or muscle pain at some time during the course of their illness. At the onset of the disease, the major complaint of more than half of SLE patients is pain in the joints.”

What can be done?

There is no cure for lupus yet. Treatment focuses on treating and managing the symptoms.

For more in-depth information, here are some sites that have reliable and up-to-date information:

The Lupus Foundation of America

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Post from: Blisstree

Lupus