HealthfulChat is dedicated to offering a peer support community for those who live with the life-altering disease lupus. We are aware that there are millions of people worldwide living with their own personal lupus flares; whether sudden or slow, permanent or temporary, these episodes can make living day-to-day a trial for anyone. HealthfulChat's philosophy is that there is power in numbers. We believe, along with the proper medical care, a caring peer support network can help someone facing difficulties get through their day just a bit easier. In order to provide this peer support network, we are offering you a Lupus Chat Room, lupus forums, and a lupus social network.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease in the autoimmune disease family, that occurs when one's, "own immune system attacks its own tissues and organs."  Lupus strikes more women than men, with no known reason why, and has four different types: "systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus erythematosus and neonatal lupus." The most common and serious form of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus. Although each person living with lupus has a unique experience, the most common symptoms include but are not limited to the following: fatigue; fever; weight loss or gain; rashes; lesions; hair loss; anxiety; depression; joint swelling and pain.

Although doctors do not know exactly what causes any autoimmune disease, it is understood that, "It's likely that lupus results from a combination of your genetics and your environment." In other words, some doctors think that someone may have a predisposition to lupus, but only contract the disease when they come into contact with something, such as a medication or a virus, that triggers it. Although lupus is quite obviously a disease that knows no boundaries, the most common risk factors include: being female; being between the ages of 15 and 40; being African-American, Asian or Hispanic; long-term use of certain prescription medications, such as some treating high blood pressure; having been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus; and exposure to chemicals such as mercury and the toxins in cigarettes. There is even research that suggests that exposure to sunlight in a person with a predisposition to lupus can trigger the disease. When looking at these facts, it would be difficult to argue that there is a entire peer community that overcomes lupus flare-ups every day. There is an entire population who knows that although in the past lupus was considered a fatal disease, now, with medical science reaching new plateaus every moment, a person who has been diagnosed with lupus can have a full and active life.

We hope you join this lupus peer support community to begin connecting with others who face similar daily trials that you do.

Self Help Aid

Reference:

www.mayoclinic.com

The services provided by HealthfulChat are designed to support, not replace any professional medical help you may currently be receiving.