Lupus Erythematosus & Rehabilitation

This chapter of the thesis describes the basics associated with the condition its general symptoms, forms, possible etiology, treatment, and coping considerations. This delineation is followed by a discussion of the importance of the issue for rehabilitative counseling.

Description of the General Condition

Lupus is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease where the immune system, for unknown reasons, becomes hyperactive and attacks normal tissue; in other words, the immune system is fighting the body itself (Goreczny, 1995). This attack results in inflammation and brings about symptoms such as swelling, redness, pain and warmth.

If the signs of inflammation are long-lasting, as they can be in lupus, then damage to the tissues can occur and normal function is impaired. This is why the treatment of lupus is aimed at reducing the inflammation (Goreczny, 1995).

One problematic area with respect to the condition is its diagnosis. According to the Lupus Foundation of America (1998), l

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tic make-up and exposure to certain unknown trigger factors may provide the right environment in which lupus can develop. It is suspected that people inherit something from their parents that predisposes them to develop lupus; however, they are not necessarily pre-destined to develop lupus, but they may be more susceptible to the onset of the condition when exposed to certain trigger factors (Kostyak, 1995). Trigger factors include: Ultra-violet light; certain prescription drugs Infection; certain antibiotics; and possibly hormonal changes. Although there is no scientific evidence, it is possible that extreme stress may play a role in triggering lupus (Lupus Foundation of America, 1998). This possibility arises from the many anecdotal reports of lupus flaring during or after a stressful time; moreover, there are indications that flareups of the disease often occur with hormonal changes such as pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, taking birth control pills, and hormone replacement therapy. Given that Lupus has a 9:1 female to male ration, it appears likely that hormones play some role in the development of the disease. Treatment With respect to treatment, Gubzova, Tauchmannova and Malis (1997) report that the majority of symptoms of
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Approximate Word count = 1423
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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