According to Medical News Today, lupus is an autoimmune disease that makes the body’s immune system hyperactive and in turn, allows it to attack normal healthy tissues instead of the ones that are actually damaged. The immune system primarily attacks the kidney and the skin and causes inflammation in other parts of the body. 

Lupus is a genetic condition and is not contagious or infectious. The disease mainly affects women more than men. 

While the symptoms can differ from person to person, lupus sufferers generally have these symptoms: 

• Swollen joints 
• Skin rash or sores
• Ankle swelling and water retention
• Prolonged fatigue
• Seizures
• Pain in the chest
• Hair loss

Over time, other symptoms can sometimes show up so the symptoms above aren’t always definite. 

There are several ways in which lupus can be treated, all of which are based on factors like the person’s age, the severity of the disease and family medical history. 

Doctors may prescribe steroid creams for rashes to help calm and treat the itching. Internally, doctors tend to prescribe medication that slows down the immune system and prevents it from acting up. Some of these medications include cytoxan (often used in chemotherapy) that reduces the activity of the immune system and prevent it from affecting the kidneys and brain. 

Due to the fact that lupus is a genetic disease, not a lot can be done to prevent it from happening. However, doctors have revealed that there are certain triggers that could cause the immune system to flare up. These include: 

• Sunlight. People with lupus can sometimes experience skin lesions when exposed to the sun. 
• Medications. Certain medications for blood pressure, antibiotics and seizures could induce lupus so make it a point to check with your doctor should you be experiencing any sort of symptoms or discomfort from taking the medication. 
• Infections. Infections from wounds and other issues can sometimes cause the body’s immune system to act up even more, initiating the start of lupus. 

While lupus might not have a cure, there are ways to treat lupus symptoms and prevent it from acting up entirely. 

Here are some fast facts about lupus you need to know about: 

• Lupus mainly affects women
• It predominantly affects people between the ages of 15-40 years old
• Lupus is also more common in African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians. 

To lower your chance of inducing lupus, here are some things you can do. 

• Steer clear of foods that induce inflammation in the body. There are some we know of. 
• Exercise. Exercising helps to release hormones that make you feel happy and increase the blood circulation in the body. 
• Take vitamins to help keep your immunity in check. 

Most importantly, if you’re suffering from lupus, know that it’s not the end and that research has shown that people can live up to 40 years with the disease. Make it a point to speak to people around you and maintain a healthy mind. People suffering from lupus can sometimes fall into depression and anxiety. 

Read more about lupus on the Lupus Association (Singapore) site.