Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease that makes the body’s immune system become hyperactive and attack healthy tissue. This complex condition is also called the “disease of a thousand faces”. Every year, around 16,000 new cases of the disease are reported, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. While there is no permanent cure for the disease yet, its treatment focuses on preventing flare-ups, easing symptoms, and reducing inflammation.

Types
Doctors usually categorize the condition into the following types:

1. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): This is the most common type, affecting multiple parts of the body, like the kidneys, skin, joints, heart, nervous system, and lungs. Symptoms of SLE may get worse during flares and improve during remission.
2. Cutaneous lupus: This type is generally limited to the skin and can cause rashes and permanent lesions with scarring. It can be further categorized as:
   
   Acute cutaneous lupus: Here, one can observe a butterfly rash or a red rash appearing on the cheeks and bones.

   Subacute cutaneous lupus: This subtype causes the formation of a red, raised, scaly rash, generally in areas that have been exposed to sunlight. It typically does not lead to scarring.

   Chronic cutaneous lupus : Also known as discoid lupus, this subtype causes a red or purple rash and can lead to skin discoloration, scarring, and hair loss.

3. Neonatal Lupus: This is an extremely rare form of the disease and develops in infants whose birth parents have certain autoimmune antibodies. These antibodies are transferred via the placenta. Symptoms may include a skin rash, low blood cell count, and liver problems after birth. It is important to note that mothers who have antibodies may or may not experience symptoms of lupus.
   

Common symptoms
The symptoms can vary depending on the part of the body affected. The inflammation can affect tissues and organs in various regions like the joints, skin, heart, blood, lungs, brain, and kidneys. These symptoms vary from individual to individual and may be permanent, appear or disappear suddenly, or cause occasional flares. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common symptoms include

1. High fever
2. Fatigue
3. Body aches
4. Joint pain
5. Rashes
6. Skin lesions
7. Shortness of breath
8. Sjögren’s syndrome, which includes chronic dry eyes and dry mouth
9. Pericarditis and pleuritis
10. Headaches
11. Confusion
12. Memory loss

Inflammation from the condition can also lead to complications in the kidneys, lungs, and blood.

Lupus and photosensitivity
Many people with this autoimmune disease may also have photosensitivity. This makes them particularly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, a type of radiation found in sunlight and certain types of artificial light. Exposure to UV rays can lead to photosensitive rashes with the presence of an antibody called SSA (Ro), fatigue, joint pain, and swelling. People with the condition who want to step out in the sun must wear sun-protective clothing and sunscreen.

Causes
While the causes of the condition are still unknown, the following factors may trigger its symptoms:

1. Environment: Potential environmental triggers include stress and exposure to toxins such as silica dust.
2. Genetics: More than 50 genes associated with the illness have been identified. People with a family history of this autoimmune disease are at an increased risk of developing it themselves.
3. Hormones: Atypical hormone levels, such as increased levels of estrogen, could lead to lupus.
4. Infections: There may be a link between this autoimmune disease and infections like cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr.
5. Treatments: Long-term use of certain treatment options has been linked to this autoimmune disorder. These include specific prescriptions for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Risk factors
Certain groups are at a higher risk of developing the condition. These include

1. Gender: Women are more likely to develop the condition than men, but it may be more severe in men.
2. Age: While the illness can occur at any age, it most commonly develops in people between the ages of 15 and 44.
3. Family history: People with a family history of this autoimmune condition are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
4. Ethnicity: In the country, the condition is more common among people of color.

Treatment
Diagnosing lupus can be difficult due to the varied symptoms. Tests can include biomarkers that include proteins, antibodies, genetics, and other factors to indicate the body’s response to treatment, blood tests, urine tests, tissue biopsies, and imaging tests like X-rays.

Treatment for the condition aims to reduce inflammation, prevent flare-ups, and protect organs from damage. Depending on the severity and symptoms, each person’s treatment plan may look different. The most common treatments include prescriptions to treat rashes and arthritis symptoms caused by the condition. Additionally, certain prescriptions can target a specific part of the immune system to control inflammation. Further, biologics may be prescribed to treat symptoms of SLE. Doctors may also prescribe other therapies to treat complications like seizures and infections that may be brought on by lupus.

Natural management options
In addition to formal therapies, home remedies and lifestyle changes can help people manage the condition better.

1. Make better food choices: Balanced meals with moderate amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein are a great way to manage health conditions. The symptoms may vary greatly from person to person, so it is important to speak to a doctor to find out the best-recommended nutrition plan. Lifestyle changes may include adding sources rich in omega-3 fatty acids, increasing intake of vitamins D and B, and avoiding foods with cholesterol, saturated fats, and sodium.
2. Get moderate exercise: Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, pilates, and yoga can help strengthen the body without aggravating the risk of joint inflammation. It can also help promote heart, lung, bone, and joint health and have a positive impact on one’s mental health.
3. Build a community: Many people with autoimmune diseases could be concerned about social isolation. So, one may benefit from having an understanding support system, which could include friends, families, or online communities.
4. Manage stress: As stress can trigger flare-ups, managing stress levels and adopting healthy lifestyle skills can help one manage the disease.