Understanding Lupus

There are many types of lupus; however, the most common is lupus SLE. What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) exactly? Lupus SLE is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, digestive tract, brain, and other organs. The underlying cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully known, so there is no known cure at this time. Since there is no cure, the goal of treatment is to control symptoms. (nlm.nih.gov). Although anyone can be diagnosed with lupus, over 90 percent of people diagnosed are women between the ages of 15 and 45. African-American women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with lupus than Caucasian women. Lupus is also common in Latina, Asian, and Native American women. “African-Americans and Latinos tend to get lupus at a younger age and have more severe symptoms, including kidney problems.” (Omenshealth). African American patients also have more seizures and strokes, while Hispanic/Latino patients have more heart problems. The kidney is linked to the emotion “fear.” “Fear is the underlying cause of most diseases. It is detrimental to your life and your health. It causes anger and anger causes hate, which can consume you with relentless suffering.” (PureInsideOut). The heart is linked to negative emotions cruelty, hate, and impatience. (Thaik). Negative thoughts and emotions breed negative results.
To be diagnosed with lupus, a doctor will perform a physical exam and check for the most common signs of lupus. There is no single test to diagnose lupus; however, there are screenings, including blood tests, urinalysis, and chest x-rays that can help give a more informed diagnosis. (Healthline). “Nearly all people with lupus have a positive test for the antinuclear antibody; however, having a positive ANA alone does not mean you will be diagnosed with lupus in most cases.” (nlm.nih.gov). Depending on the patient and their lifestyle, symptoms may change; however, some common symptoms of lupus include:

• Severe fatigue
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Painful or swollen joints
• Headaches
• Rash on cheeks and nose called “butterfly” rash
• Hair loss
• Anemia
• Raynaud’s syndrome (fingers turning white/blue and tingle when cold)

Other symptoms are dependent on the part of the body the disease is attacking. Lupus is a disease of flares, meaning the symptoms worsen making a person feel ill, and remissions meaning the symptoms improve.
I am fully aware of what Lupus SLE is. I understand it is due to the suppression of the immune system consequently making it attack itself in error. My question is why? Why does an immune system just decide to decline? What happened? What triggered the decline? If stress can cause disruption to one’s physical health, does it, along with one’s unresolved emotional pain, trauma, and/or coping methods, have a link to the onset of many diseases? “I learned that illness wasn’t random and wasn’t genetic for the most part, in fact most illnesses can be traced to certain emotional patterns.” (Jade)

What is Lupus – Lupus Foundation  x What is Lupus – WebMD