Lupus arthritis is quite different than other forms of arthritis. Unlike other forms of the illness, it usually does not affect the spine or neck of the patient. Although they can be coupled into one single disease, some people who have lupus might simply mistakenly believe that they have arthritis instead. The reason for this is that the early symptoms of both diseases are quite similar in nature.
Lupus covers a wide variety of illnesses. Since there are so many similar symptoms, it is many times difficult for a doctor to decipher which form of lupus a patient may have. If you think that you have lupus arthritis or any other form of lupus, it is important to speak with a doctor as soon as possible.
Lupus typically affects the body’s immune system and does not allow it to work properly. However, the severity of the illness depends on a case by case basis. The purpose of the immune system is to fight off germs and other harmful agents. Therefore, someone who has been diagnosed with lupus won’t be able to fight these germs as well as someone who was healthy. The attacks on the immune system can cause inflammation that is many times quite painful.
If you have lupus arthritis, then will most likely experience inflammation for a continued period of time. Then the inflammation will stop for some time which is referred to as remissions.
This is also an illness that tends to attack women much more than men. For every ten women diagnosed, only one man will. Also, it typically affects women between the ages of 15 and 45. It can in fact affect anyone, of any age but it is much more prevalent in women who are in the childbearing age. Thankfully, there are medications and other remedies that can ease the pain caused by this illness.