What Are The Lupus Causes?
Lupus is a disease that affects around 1.5 million people in the United States. It is known as an autoimmune disease, which is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the body itself. This disease can cause numerous problems and is currently not curable. But what are the lupus causes that make this disease exist?
There are a variety of things that can trigger Lupus. Causes of breakouts can range from exposure to sunlight to certain foods and even stress itself. While some patients suffer through arthritis and fevers, others have to constantly use cream to get rid of their recurring rashes.
Currently, scientists are unsure of exactly what causes Lupus. There does not seem to be any one infection or medication that brings the condition on. Scientists do believe that there may be a genetic connection that causes some people to get the disease. There has been recent study done on a gene called chromosome 1 which scientists have isolated as being a possible factor in who gets Lupus and who does not. The information is not written in stone, however, as it is known that about only 5% of children who are born to Lupus patients will get Lupus themselves. This is a very small number for something that is supposed to be hereditary.
Some medications can cause Lupus. This is considered a drug-induced Lupus. It tricks the body into believing that the organs themselves are infected, which makes the white blood cells attack them. Some drugs, specifically high-blood pressure medication, heart medication and some seizure medications, seem to be more apt to bring this on. The good thing about a drug-induced Lupus is that it generally disappears as soon as the medication is stopped.