The month of May is observed as National Lupus Awareness Month. The 2019 theme, “Band Together for Lupus” presented by the Lupus Foundation of America, the campaign’s organizer, aims to raise awareness and educate the public about this very serious autoimmune disease that affects more than five million people globally.
The Lupus Foundation of America defines lupus as, “a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs).” The website, creakyjoints.org, explains that because its symptoms are often vague, lupus can be very difficult to diagnose. Here are some fast facts about lupus:
- It can be diagnosed at any age, but most cases are between the ages of 15 and 44.
- Women account for 90% of lupus patients.
- Black people are at a higher risk.
- It is treated by a rheumatologist.
- Most lupus patients test positive to an antinuclear antibody (ANA) blood test.
- Lupus can look like other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease.
- There is no cure for lupus, however, its symptoms can be treated, and life-expectancy improved.
- Medications are available to prevent flare-ups.
- Lupus can damage the kidneys and increases cardiovascular risk.
To schedule an appointment at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, you may visit our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://creakyjoints.org/education/lupus-facts/
http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/nationallupusawarenessmonth.html