May is Lupus Awareness Month. Make yourself Aware.
After I ranted and got all that whining off of my chest, out of my mouth and drained from my eyes, I think I'll be productive and be the one to educate who I can (or who actually reads this).
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), established in 1977, is now the foremost national nonprofit lupus organization with a nationwide network of nearly 300 integrated chapters, support groups and community representatives that serve 32 states. One of which is NOT Massachusetts. (I'll be changing that very, VERY soon). Lupus Awareness Month is observed during May to increase public understanding of this unpredictable and potentially life-threatening disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans.
Yesterday, May 10th, was World Lupus Day (my apologies for not writing anything on World Lupus Day...I've been ridiculously busy lately with 3 jobs and trying not to burn out)! I hope that you supported World Lupus Day and wore your purple! :)
Below are the daily facts that the LFA has been releasing via their facebook and website. Take a gander and learn a little something about this affliction.
For some of you, this is old news. For others, this is the new beginning, a way to understand the really complicated and confusing disease that is Lupus.
May 1: Systemic lupus is the most common type of lupus. Systemic lupus can affect any organ system of the body, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, blood, joints, and skin.
May 2: In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu).The result is the production of autoantibodies that attack healthy tissue.
May 3: Most people with lupus will experience joint pain without swelling. Although people with lupus can have arthritis, lupus is not a form of arthritis.
May 4: Lupus is not related to HIV/AIDS. In lupus, the immune system is overactive, while in HIV or AIDS, the immune system is underactive.
May 5: You can’t catch lupus. Lupus is not contagious and can’t be given to someone if you have the disease.
May 6: Ninety percent of the people who develop lupus are females. Males also can develop lupus and their disease can be more severe in some organs.
May 7: 5 percent of all cases of lupus are in children. About 20% of systemic lupus patients are diagnosed before 20 years of age. In the majority of these individuals, the illness begins around the time of puberty, or 12 to 14 years of age.
May 8: Kidney disease occurs in 50-75% of children with SLE. The prevalence seems to be slightly higher than that seen in adults.
May 9: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can damage any organ in the body and can cause life-threatening consequences.
May 10: WORLD LUPUS DAY! Only ten percent of people with lupus will have a close relative who already has lupus or may develop lupus. Some people with lupus also will have a relative who has lupus or another autoimmune disease.
May 11: The most common symptoms of lupus are: extreme fatigue or exhaustion, headaches, painful or swollen joints, fever, a butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose, sun- or light-sensitivity, and hair loss.
May 3: Most people with lupus will experience joint pain without swelling. Although people with lupus can have arthritis, lupus is not a form of arthritis.
May 4: Lupus is not related to HIV/AIDS. In lupus, the immune system is overactive, while in HIV or AIDS, the immune system is underactive.
May 5: You can’t catch lupus. Lupus is not contagious and can’t be given to someone if you have the disease.
May 6: Ninety percent of the people who develop lupus are females. Males also can develop lupus and their disease can be more severe in some organs.
May 7: 5 percent of all cases of lupus are in children. About 20% of systemic lupus patients are diagnosed before 20 years of age. In the majority of these individuals, the illness begins around the time of puberty, or 12 to 14 years of age.
May 8: Kidney disease occurs in 50-75% of children with SLE. The prevalence seems to be slightly higher than that seen in adults.
May 9: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can damage any organ in the body and can cause life-threatening consequences.
May 10: WORLD LUPUS DAY! Only ten percent of people with lupus will have a close relative who already has lupus or may develop lupus. Some people with lupus also will have a relative who has lupus or another autoimmune disease.
May 11: The most common symptoms of lupus are: extreme fatigue or exhaustion, headaches, painful or swollen joints, fever, a butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose, sun- or light-sensitivity, and hair loss.
Hope this answers some of your questions.
And, as always, feel free to ask me questions in the comment box.
Talking about Lupus doesn't upset me, make me uncomfortable or bother me. It is part of who I am.
I'd rather talk about it and educate someone than be around people who assume things that aren't true.
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