Thomas Lupus SDCE

Lupus: S.D.C.E.

Symptoms

 (Weinhouse, 2019)

Lupus can start without a person being aware of what is taking place in their body. Most may feel as if it is just general sickness and do not seek care. Commonly a person may begin to experience skin rashes or swelling within the body. In addition to fatigue, sleeping problems and hair loss, thus making Lupus a disease that is difficult to diagnose (Olesińska & Saletra, 2018). Lupus is an autoimmune disorder which can have various internal effects. Remember every person can have different symptoms, ranging mild to server depending on the patient’s genetics and/or susceptibility to diseases. (See Above Chart) 

Disability Impacts Development

The development of Lupus varies and some environmental factors may be the cause. Not often is the environment considered as part of the reason behind illness. If it is not a common cold or flu then it has to be genetics. However, what happens when genetics are altered based on the environment. Environmental triggers can be as simple as being out in the sun; or going through life stressors which cause emotional and mental exhaustion. (Lupus Foundation of America, 2016) Not to forget the chemical exposures that can add to the development, symptoms and triggers that may progress the disease. These can be found in medications taken for symptoms or illnesses that derive from a common cold. Pneumonia is one of those ailments that are associated within SLE patients. Lupus primarily attacks the central nervous system; this means there is also an attack on the brain. Overtime depending on the severity, these attacks could lead to further impairment. Due to this internal struggle Lupus is not often seen as a disability. Typically because it is a hidden disease that battleground is internal.

Disability Impacts Cognitive Skills

            The brain fog is one of the main cognitive dysfunctions when it comes to dealing with Lupus. Patients are often mentally drained and have issues with concentration (Ho, Husain, & Ho, 2018). Depending on chemical imbalance or attack on the central nervous system patients will have different severities. It is found that 20-80 % of patients can show signs of depressive and/or cognitive dysfunction (Ho, Husain, & Ho, 2018). Being that this is normal amongst those with SLE it is imperative that patients are diagnosed early.

Disability Impacts Emotions 

            Lupus is an unpredictable and incurable disease that can cause death if not treated. Yet if treated there are lifelong disabilities that will evolve. SLE requires lifestyle changes and medication regimes that can be both mentally and physically ailing. All these factors cause immediate emotional instability as the disease changes. Combining all this and the emotions are the most impacted. 61.6% of persons living with Lupus experience emotional changes or imbalance (Lupus Foundation of America, 2019). Depression is high amongst these as the cognitive chemical imbalances play a key component. Not to mention hormones being one of the major triggers in being diagnosed with Lupus. This is the reason why more women than men are diagnosed with SLE.

Reference

Ho, R. C., Husain, S. F., & Ho, C. S. (2018, August 28). Cognitive dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: The challenge in diagnosis and management. Retrieved June 01, 2021, from Sage Journals: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2059902118792434

Lupus Foundation of America. (2016, November 28). What causes lupus? Retrieved June 01, 2021, from Lupus Foundation of America: https://www.lupus.org/resources/what-causes-lupus

Lupus Foundation of America. (2019, May 09). New Survey Finds Lupus Greatly Affects Emotional and Mental Well-Being. Retrieved June 02, 2021, from Lupus Foundation of America: https://www.lupus.org/news/new-survey-finds-lupus-greatly-affects-emotional-and-mental-wellbeing

Olesińska, M., & Saletra, A. (2018, February 28). Quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus and its measurement. Retrieved May 31, 2021, from NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5911658/

Weinhouse, B. (2019, March 04). 16 Lupus Symptoms You Can’t Afford to Ignore. Retrieved May 31, 2021, from Creeky Joints: https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/lupus/lupus-symptoms/lupus-signs-and-symptoms/