Lupus Erythematosus Essay examples

Submitted By cheex1104
Words: 1003
Pages: 5
Open Document
Running head: SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Type III Hypersensitivity

There are three types of lupus; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Coetaneous (skin) Lupus, and Drug – Induced Lupus. Out of these three, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is the most serious form of lupus and one of the classic examples of autoimmune diseases among human beings. This means, there is a problem with the body’s normal immune system response. The basic cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully known. Some researchers think autoimmune diseases occur after infection with an organism that looks like certain proteins in the body. Proteins that is later on mistaken for the organism and wrongly targeted for attack by the body’s immune system. This leads to chronic inflammation and tissue damage, which plays a major role in many of the dangerous side effects of lupus. The immune system is the body's defense mechanism against foreign substances entering the body. It depends on the substance of compounds called antibodies and on cells called lymphocytes, which rise to the defense of the body in case of invasion by foreign agents such as germs or viruses. However, for patients with an autoimmune disease, it cannot tell the difference between harmful and healthy substance. That is what essentially causes an overactive immune response that attacks healthy cells and tissues.
According to Noah Scheinfeld, MD., “women are affected by the SLE more often than men; the female–to–male ratio is 9:1”. Women of child bearing age are typically affected by the SLE, but individuals of any age, sex, or race may develop this disease. SLE affects nearly every part of the body such as, the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood, and/or brain. Symptoms of lupus vary greatly from person to person and range from moderate to severe. There is no more difficult disease to diagnose, understand, or treat than the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). This may be due to the fact that the SLE is not one disease but many diseases grouped under one heading. SLE is complex and problematic and can be a very difficult disease to diagnose. That is also why it is considered as an “imitators” because it is often mistaken for other illness.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, often known simply as lupus or abbreviated to SLE, while uncommon – it is not rare. It is a reaction of Type III hypersensitivity. As mentioned in the Encyclopedia Britannica, Type III hypersensitivity reactions can be provoked by inhalation of antigens into the lungs. “Hypersensitivity refers to excessive, undesirable (damaging, discomfort-producing and sometimes fatal) reactions produced by the normal immune system” (Dr. Abdul Ghaffar). Type III immune complex reactions involve antigens, antibodies of IgA or IgM, and complement. The type III reactions is not only limited to the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but this hypersensitivity type also include glomerulonephritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is not clear what triggers this immune abnormality but several factors seem to be contributory in some patients. These include infection, hormonal, genetic, and unidentified environmental factors. Some drugs including those used for the treatment of tuberculosis (isoniazid), high blood pressure (hydralazine), and convulsions (dilantin) have also occasionally been associated with the development of SLE. When certain ratios of antigen to antibody occur, the complexes are small and so they tend to escape phagocytosis. The complexes then become trapped in the basement membrane under the endothelium of blood vessels, activate complement and cause an inflammation.
Symptoms for SLE are not restricted to only a few. Symptoms that most patients complain about includes weakness, extreme fatigue, weight loss, painful or swollen joints, and skin rash. There are many symptoms that are commonly observed for patients with this disease. Additional symptoms consist of chest pain, hair loss, anemia,
Show More

Related Documents: Lupus Erythematosus Essay examples

Essay on Lupus Erythematosus

Ariel Bowen Lupus Erythematosus Intro. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus a facial rash that resembles the wings of…

Words 610 - Pages 3

Lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Essay

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h eRWz1Qmu4Q  Listen to his words and accent  Chronic, autoimmune disease that can affect literally any body system  Rarely presents the same in any two lupus patients  Disruption in apoptosis  › Immune system generates auto-antibodies Antibodies clump together and can latch on to any body system. Attacking cells DNA surrounding the antibody. No known cause  No know treatment to cure the disease  › Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and…

Words 1302 - Pages 6

Lupus Erythematosus Research Paper

Health and Human Diseases Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Description Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, otherwise known as SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that has variable signs and follows a worsening and remitting course. This disease occurs in the internal organ system and more then 90 percent of cases transpire in women. It is the most common type of lupus disorder and most people state that they have Lupus when referring to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Etiology SLE is said to have an…

Words 636 - Pages 3

Essay about Lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and B .Costs Lupus

Lupus By Vana Meadows Ms.Pangle English III February 9, 2012 Outline Thesis: Although lupus can be very devastating, knowledge of causes, symptoms, diagnosiss, and treatments can greatly affect the patient and those close to the patient. I. Excerpt II. Description III. Causes A. Genes B. Environment IV. Symptoms V. Diagnosis A. ANA tests B. Anti-DNA antibody tests VI. Treatments A. Medications B. Costs Lupus “…only 10 percent of lupus patients…

Words 1090 - Pages 5

Lupus Essay example

Me’Gan Caesar December 3, 2010 Annotated Bibliography Lupus Erythematosus Szuda, Stephanie “Health: Life with Lupus.” The Times. 11 Jan 2008. 19 Nov 2010. <Mywebtimes.com> Summary: The story is about a 25 year old guy name Jason Holland. Jason is living with Lupus Erythematosus. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease. He has internal and external lupus that affects his internal organs and skin. He takes 15 pills a day just to make it through the day. He goes to the…

Words 1137 - Pages 5

How Does Lupus Affect Women

The Impact of Lupus on Women Sophia A. Holz Blue Valley High School Honors Biology Mrs. Pickert March 29, 2024. Abstract Lupus has a large impact on women in the United States. Lupus is an auto-immune disease where a person with lupus’s immune system attacks itself to a point where their immune system is weakened. The main symptoms of lupus include butterfly rash, fatigue, random fever, and any type of stomach pain. Women are the most affected by lupus. This may be because of the connection…

Words 2214 - Pages 9

Systematic Lupus Essay

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus also known as SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints, tissue, and organs. SLE is a capricious disease that doesn’t take any one particular course, therefore its very unpredictable. No two people will experience the same disease symptoms or severity level. As SLE progresses there will be periods of very subtle to no symptoms called flares. Normally the body is protected by the immune system. When the…

Words 346 - Pages 2

Lupus Research Paper

LUPUS An autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy cells, lupus has no known origin. While its symptoms are primarily recognizable, they can often mimic other diseases, thereby delaying accurate diagnosis. Joint pain, poor circulation and a telltale rash are just three of myriad symptoms indicative of lupus, a disease that inevitably impacts major organs by way of compromising the body's defenses, as well as through invasive steroid treatment that weakens bones. Lupus…

Words 988 - Pages 4

SLE Research Paper

Causes of SLE The exact cause of lupus SLE is unknown but there are a few factors that can help determine the causes. Genetics The disease is not linked to a certain gene, but people with SLE usually have family members with other autoimmune conditions. SLE and other autoimmune disorders usually run in families, but the inheritance pattern is unknown. People can inherit a gene variation that may increase or decrease the risk of SLE, but in most cases they dont inherit the condition itself. In rare…

Words 895 - Pages 4

Lupus Research Paper

toes during stressful periods or the cold, and a butter-fly shaped rash, that 55-85% of people with Lupus suffer from, on the face that forms over the cheeks and bridge of the nose (Cassell, Dana K., and Noel Rose, n.p., 2015). According to Lupus Foundation of America, there are some serious complications that can occur from lupus that will affect the major organ systems in the body such as: • Lupus nephritis, which is inflammation of the kidneys.…

Words 802 - Pages 4