Hi Everyone!
It's
I'm often asked if people are born with lupus. Here is how weird lupus is.
Researchers aren't sure what causes lupus. It's believed that a combination of genes, hormones and environment may be the culprits.
Genes, which your parents pass down to you help define your body's features and traits. Scientists have identified more than 50 genes that are more common in people with lupus. Part of the weirdness. It's said that these genes aren't enough to cause lupus. However, they do raise your risk. In addition if you have family members who have lupus or other autoimmune disease, it's more likely you'll have lupus too.
My dad had lupus, and 2 of my brothers had/have diabetes. So autoimmune runs in my family.
The hormone part.
Hormones are the body's messenger that keeps everything balance by sending signals between body parts. Hormones are critical for how the body functions. There is a lot of research in various hormones and lupus. Especially estrogen. The subject is vast, complicated and with mixed results. Possibly why more women have lupus than men.
I will leave a link at the bottom of the page if you want to delve into it.
Another weirdness. In all of my research over the years for lupus. I have read that you aren't born with lupus. However, there is Neonatal lupus that is not the same as chronic lupus. It is temporary lasting maybe 6 to 9 months. Symptoms present with skin rash, liver issues and blood count abnormalities. The most sever NLE is congenital heart block that is a serious permanent condition. This can happen when the mother has the antibodies of certain autoimmune. A small number of babies with NeoNatale lupus contract full blown lupus (SLE) later in life.
The images of babies with NLE are very horrendous and quite disturbing. I prefer not to show them.
Instead I will show the "new" criteria list for lupus. A person must have a 10 or higher to be considered for a diagnosis.
I, along with many other women, were told we were faking it. I would really like to see those doctors now.
For me, I have not had a lupus seizure in 25 years. I do still lose my hair once in awhile. The reason I keep my hair very short.
I hope this session has given you some more insight on lupus and the research.
I'm a ferocious lupus fighter, along with the 5 million others world wide.
Nicole
A link on hormone and lupus only if you want to LOL
How long have you been diagnosed? We have a friend who has been diagnosed for a long time -- at least 30 years, I believe.
ReplyDeleteI really hope there can be some significant and helpful progress in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.
ReplyDeleteI think lot of issues both negative and or positive is both from inheritance and or enviroment.
ReplyDelete...make each day that you are given the best that can be!
ReplyDeleteOur endocrine systems are so complex and central to our health, and alarmingly fragile.
ReplyDeleteInteresting information, Thank you
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to me that things run in families because they eat the same foods. Evolution pays attention to our environmental experiences. And thus, I believe, adjusts over time our DNA.
May
You are indeed a ferocious lupus fighter.
ReplyDeleteSending my good wishes.
All the best Jan
Thank you so much for sharing this important information.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you are being a champion for your disorder and bringing awareness. Women often get overlooked for a lot of issues, glad you were able to receive help.
ReplyDeleteI know you are a ferocious lupus fighter, Nicole! Thanks for sharing all this important information. The doctors who don't believe it or thinking you are faking it ~ that makes me so angry. I have a different autoimmune disease than you: fibromyalgia. Fortunately when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1993, I had a primary care doctor and a rheumatologist who believed me. That was a time when many medical people thought it wasn't real. Why? Why? Why, do woman have to fight so hard to be taken seriously? Have a great Wednesday! ❤️🌺❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. I have shared it with my daughter.
ReplyDeleteAutoimmune diseases are frightening, aren't they? That's interesting your Dad had lupus too. There must be something genetic, although lupus isn't directly genetic. However there are so many genetic links and unknown ways genes work. I hope they find something soon. This was interesting to read. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI just read it may be caused by the epstein barr virus but who knows
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Nicole. I never came across Lupus when I was doing my training but one of our young employees (when I changed professions) was diagnosed with it, it was then that I became familiar with it.
ReplyDeleteI made a Lupus ribbon and put it on my blog.
It is scary and as long as I am not affected... call me stupid.. I just cannot... go too much into detail, but! If I meet someone who suffers this I hope I am allowed to give your blog/your contact.
ReplyDeleteThis is so scary. I admire your strength as well as your effort to help others with this - you rock! Hugs from here.
Whatever its origins I am just happy that I don’t suffer from it.
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating. Don't you wish you knew how it came about, if genetics aren't the cause (despite your dad). Who knows -- I hope there are answers in the futures and dare I say, a cure?
ReplyDeleteEh I'd be putting a lawsuit in against these doctors. I really hate when people gaslight me. :-(
ReplyDeleteI've not had any symptoms for Lupus and don't know anyone with it. My grandmother had Raynaud’s but not Lupus.