Systemic Lupus Erythematosis - Essay Example

"Systemic Lupus Erythematosis" is an outstanding example of a paper on the immune system. Systemic Lupus Erythematosis is the most common and serious, of the four main types of Lupus (Seward, 2008). It is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the individual's antibodies to attack the body’s cells, leading to cell damage and tissue inflammation. It is sometimes referred to as one of ‘’the great imitator ‘’diseases, because it presents the symptoms of other infections, making it very hard to be diagnosed.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, 1.5 million people in the country suffer from the disease of which, ninety percent are women, in their childbearing age. Sixteen new infections are reported yearly by the Lupus foundation. This type of Lupus is accompanied by interchanging periods of wellness and illness, and can basically affect any body organ. Myocardial infections and stroke, later on in life become the leading causes of a patient’s death. A rash on the tip of the nose, both sides of the face, commonly known as ‘’butterfly’’ rash, is reported in over thirty percent of the diagnosed cases.

The disease is prevalent in people who are not of European heritage such as African- Americans and Asians, whose infection rates are three times higher. Some women report that the symptoms worsen prior to their menstrual periods. The dilemma facing most doctors and patients is the medication, which can sometimes present new challenges. This is because; some medication may lead to complications, which may prove to be fatal (Seward, 2008). The two major complaints according to research are, memory loss and fatigue.

Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test is the most common type of test used to diagnose the disease, and thirty percent of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis, have a positive ANA. Some people, who suffer from this form of Lupus, may never experience life-threatening symptoms such as, stroke and fluid in the lungs and heart. Major impediments to finding a cure for the disease are; the numerous body organs it attacks, no knowledge of its precise cause, and the varying symptoms it presents. As a protective measure, trigger factors such as sunlight should be minimized and if possible eliminated.

Just like other chronic diseases, support groups and government support, through research and financial support, is important in making the patient’s life easier.