Lupus awareness month

 Hi Everyone!

 

I've been neglecting lupus awareness month. 

Image made by Margaret 

 

Over the years I have explained what lupus is. For those of you who are new.

Lupus is autoimmune disease in which the immune system becomes over active and attacks healthy tissues and organs. This causes widespread inflammation that can also settle in different parts of the body.  That's this simple explanation. 

 

These are the everyday things. 

The deep horrible things are 

Did you know that people with lupus can have seizures? 3 kinds, Tonic Clonic which are grand mall and the most common type.  It involves two phases: the tonic phase (muscles suddenly stiffen, causing the person to collapse) followed by the clonic phase (rhythmic, uncontrollable shaking of the limbs).

Absence Seizure Petit Mall. These look like an absent stare. Stopping whatever they are doing.  

The other rare generalized seizures include myoclonic seizures. These are brief shock like muscle jerks and atonic where sudden loss of muscle ton causing the person to drop to the floor. 

I have experienced the first two.  

 

The most common types of heart disease for people with lupus are; Accelerated atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease), pericarditis (inflammation of the heart linning), Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), and various heart valve abnormalities.

 

If you would like to read more info on lupus and heart disease click here. Johns Hopkins Lupus center.

 

People with lupus can have one or all of the above symptoms. They can come and go making it difficult for doctors.

As for me, I keep moving, I keep my mind busy, I try not to think of what is wrong, rather what is working on any particular day. Because as you all know.

and

Nicole