The Complex and Internal Medicine Clinic Team at Campbell County Health provides adult medical care for patients with chronic medical conditions like Lupus. And this month we stand with the Lupus Foundation of America as we use the month of May to educate our patients, families, and communities on what lupus is, how it affects people and what we can do about it.

Facts About Lupus

Lupus is one of the cruelest, most mysterious diseases — an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body, causing the immune system to attack healthy tissue instead of fighting infections. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, a challenge to treat, and can be fatal.

What do you need to know about lupus?

• Lupus symptoms can be severe, highly unpredictable, cause debilitating pain to many parts of the body, and can damage any organ or tissue, from the skin or joints to the kidneys, heart or lungs.

• There is no single test to diagnose lupus. On average, it takes nearly six years for people with lupus to be diagnosed, from the time they first notice their lupus symptoms.

• Lupus strikes without warning, affects each person differently and has no known causes or cure.

• While lupus can be disabling and potentially fatal, in many cases its health effects can be managed through aggressive medical treatment and lifestyle changes.

• There are only three therapies developed specifically to treat lupus that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• While lupus is a widespread disease, awareness of the disease lags behind many other illnesses. 63% of Americans surveyed have never heard of lupus or know little or nothing about this disease and its symptoms beyond the name.

• Despite the widespread prevalence of lupus, research on the disease has remained underfunded, relative to its scope and devastation.

For more facts and information about Lupus from the Lupus Foundation of America click HERE.

Do you have Lupus? Do you need more support? Give the Complex & Internal Medicine Clinic at CCH a call: 307-688-3535. Does someone you love struggle with Lupus? Learn more about how you can help spread awareness about this disease at lupus.org.

Article Source & Image Source: Lupus Foundation of America