1. There is no cure for lupus
2. Lupus can be limited to just the skin
Severe lupus symptoms can include organ complications, but some patients are lucky to only experience skin rashes. These patients have discoid lupus, a form where they might only get rashes and skin lesions rather than joint pain, kidney problems, and other symptoms seen in SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). According to a Swedish study, 17% of those with discoid lupus will see their disease turn systemic later, while in most others, the condition will never progress.
3. Certain drugs might trigger lupus symptoms
4. Lupus can damage the kidneys
5. Lupus increases cardiovascular risk
Although lupus doesn’t directly affect the heart, the inflammation the disease causes can speed up the formation of blood clots and, therefore, indirectly lead to cardiovascular problems. According to a study in Current Cardiology Reviews, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in people who have had lupus for more than five years. To reduce your risk of heart disease, you should maintain healthy diet habits, including eating a Mediterranean-style diet that focuses on healthy vegetables and seafood while avoiding red meat.
Having lupus can be scary to get; however, most people manage to live with the disease well. While common symptoms are well known, many other facts aren’t, which is why it’s good to inform yourself of all the complications you may experience if you or a loved one is diagnosed with lupus.
