WORLD LUPUS DAY!!!!!!

Today’s News

HEALTH AND WELLNESS 

The Stroke & Diabetes Center takes this opportunity to unite with persons who have been diagnosed with this disease. We salute that family member, loved one, colleague, friend or neighbour who fights this disease and chooses to be a Victor and not a Victim.

   

Cause

Lupus is called the war of the body with itself.

This chronic autoimmune disease creates a hyperactive immune system. This hyperactive immune 

system instead of protecting the body with antibodies which fight off infections and illnesses creates 

antibodies which wrongfully attack healthy tissue, cells and organs which leads to inflammation, 

swelling, damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart and lungs.

Symptoms

This disease has a wide variety of symptoms ranging from 

• Hair loss
• Skin rashes
• Mouth ulcers
• Painful or swollen joints
• Chest pains
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Lupus Facts

• Lupus is an autoimmune disease, caused by problems in the body's immune system. It can be mild or life-threatening.

• Lupus is not contagious.

• The type that we refer to simply as lupus is known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE.

• Other types of lupus include discoid (cutaneous), drug-induced, and neonatal. 

• It is also said that 5 million people worldwide suffer from some form of Lupus.

• More than 90% of lupus sufferers are women.

• Lupus is most common between the ages of 15-45.

• Most Doctors believe that lupus results from both genetic and environmental stimuli.

• Risk factors include exposure to sunlight, certain prescription medications, infection with Epstein-Barr virus, and exposure to certain chemicals.

• Environmental factors include extreme stress, exposure to ultraviolet light, smoking, some medications and antibiotics, infections and the Epstein-Barr virus (in children).

• Although there is no cure, lupus and its symptoms can be controlled with medication.

• Treatments for Lupus include corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and lifestyle changes.

FOR MORE INFO CALL US 235-5066!