It's Lupus Awareness Month
EPhinn
Posts: 119 Member
It's Lupus Awareness Month!! What are you doing to increase awareness? So many people go without a definitive diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, simply because it's difficult to diagnose. Do your research and find out as much as you can about your disease, so if you know somebody with similar symptoms, you can tell them what tests they need to get their doctor to do. I've done this a few times and have helped a couple friends get their diagnosis. If you have a Facebook page, or Twitter, do a lupus/autoimmune disease post. Explain some of the symptoms. Explain the actual process of autoimmune disease. Get the information out there! Here are a post you can use.
"Lupus diagnosis may be difficult
Lupus is considered an unpredictable disease, with no two cases exactly the same. The unique pattern of symptoms associated with lupus has caused some to say that lupus is like a snowflake. No two are alike. There are several symptoms of lupus which mimic other rheumatic diseases (e.g., severe fatigue), making the diagnostic process difficult.
Some patients can be difficult to diagnose since symptoms of the disease are quite variable, ranging from skin rash to fatigue to organ failure. No single test can determine whether a person has lupus, but several laboratory tests may help the doctor to make a diagnosis. Most lupus patients produce antibodies to their own tissues, detectable by a blood test which has been available since the 1950s. About 20 percent of patients with lupus do not make the antibodies though and go undiagnosed."
"What is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs.
Under normal function, the immune system makes proteins called antibodies in order to protect and fight against antigens such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus makes the immune system unable to differentiate between antigens and healthy tissue. This leads the immune system to direct antibodies against the healthy tissue - not just antigens - causing swelling, pain, and tissue damage."
You can also find out when there is a lupus walk in your area. Get your friends and family involved, too!
http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/Walk-for-Lupus-Now.htm
"Lupus diagnosis may be difficult
Lupus is considered an unpredictable disease, with no two cases exactly the same. The unique pattern of symptoms associated with lupus has caused some to say that lupus is like a snowflake. No two are alike. There are several symptoms of lupus which mimic other rheumatic diseases (e.g., severe fatigue), making the diagnostic process difficult.
Some patients can be difficult to diagnose since symptoms of the disease are quite variable, ranging from skin rash to fatigue to organ failure. No single test can determine whether a person has lupus, but several laboratory tests may help the doctor to make a diagnosis. Most lupus patients produce antibodies to their own tissues, detectable by a blood test which has been available since the 1950s. About 20 percent of patients with lupus do not make the antibodies though and go undiagnosed."
"What is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs.
Under normal function, the immune system makes proteins called antibodies in order to protect and fight against antigens such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus makes the immune system unable to differentiate between antigens and healthy tissue. This leads the immune system to direct antibodies against the healthy tissue - not just antigens - causing swelling, pain, and tissue damage."
You can also find out when there is a lupus walk in your area. Get your friends and family involved, too!
http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/Walk-for-Lupus-Now.htm
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My family and I did a lupus walk last year. It was a really great experience!0
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