Bitten by a wolf: observe Lupus Awareness Month with Lunch4Lupus

Updated Monday, October 3, 2011 - 08:24
Published Mon, 10/03/2011 - 08:24
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Pregnancy

Lupus is an uncommon autoimmune disorder with a variety of symptoms including skin rash, fatigue, swollen joints, muscle pain and headaches. It has a number of related symptoms and complications including miscarriage and depression. The NHS states that 90% of sufferers are female and between the ages of 15–50, with Afro-Caribbean being the most likely to develop the condition.

October is Lupus Awareness Month in the UK and Lupus UK is encouraging the public to ‘Lunch4Lupus’with the aim of collecting donations for the society from your family and friends. Hospitals around the country are being ‘adopted’ by Lupus UK who will be posting leaflets and manning information stalls.

Lupus can be triggered by a number of factors including puberty, menopause, childbirth and sunlight; indeed, avoiding sunlight can be a treatment for some kinds of lupus. Other treatments include NSAIDs, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.
 

Any condition caused by the body’s immune response against its own tissues. Full medical glossary
A condition that is linked to, or is a consequence of, another disease or procedure. Full medical glossary
A group of hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. Full medical glossary
Feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a loss of interest in life, combined with a sense of reduced emotional well-being Full medical glossary
One of the three main food constituents (with carbohydrate and protein), and the main form in which energy is stored in the body. Full medical glossary
A drug that suppresses the immune system, reducing the body’s resistance to infection. Full medical glossary

The time of a woman’s life when her ovaries stop releasing an egg (ovum) on a monthly cycle, and her periods cease

Full medical glossary
The spontaneous loss of pregnancy. Full medical glossary
Tissue made up of cells that can contract to bring about movement. Full medical glossary
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Full medical glossary

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A group of drugs that provide pain relief and reduce inflammation.

Full medical glossary
A pale yellow or green,creamy fluid found at the site of bacterial infection. Full medical glossary
septic arthritis Full medical glossary
Compounds with a common basic structure, which occur naturally in the body. The term may also refer to man-made drugs administered because they act like hormones. Full medical glossary