We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Causes of Lupus?

By D. Jeffress
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,090
Share

Lupus is a disorder that causes flares of inflammation and tissue swelling. It can affect many different organs and parts of body, though signs and symptoms are most commonly isolated to the skin, joints, or kidneys. As with many other types of autoimmune disorders, the exact causes of lupus are not well understood. Most studies suggest that genetics plays a significant role in the development of symptoms, but acquired and environmental factors are likely to be involved as well. Ongoing medical research will likely help to pinpoint the causes of lupus and help doctors make better informed treatment decisions.

Flareups of lupus occur when a person's immune system begins to attack healthy body tissue. The immune system produces autoantibodies that may seek out cells in the skin, joint tissue, kidneys, liver, or heart. Over time, frequent episodes of inflammation lead to chronic pain, swelling, skin changes, and generalized symptoms of fever and fatigue. While the causes of lupus are not completely understood, doctors have been able to identify a few key risk factors. Women of reproductive age are at the highest risk, and it appears that people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent are more likely to develop symptoms than other demographics.

Most professionals suspect that the majority of people who suffer from lupus were genetically predisposed to the condition. A large number of patients have familial histories of lupus or other autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies on identical twins strengthen the genetic hypothesis, showing that if one sibling has lupus, the other is likely to develop the condition as well. Ongoing research hopes to reveal whether specific genes are missing or mutated in people with the disorder.

While genetics may be the primary cause of lupus, it is likely that environmental conditions are also involved. Overexposure to ultraviolet light from the sun appears to be a trigger in a large number of cases. Extreme physical exhaustion, mental and emotional stress, and certain viral illnesses, such as Epstein-Barr, may also precede lupus outbreaks. Research also shows that some medications, including penicillin and other antibiotics, may make some people more susceptible to lupus. Increased estrogen levels in both men and women also are commonly found during diagnostic tests, suggesting that hormone imbalances can contribute to the environmental and genetic causes of lupus.

Treatment for lupus depends on the severity of symptoms and the parts of the body affected. Many patients are able to overcome most of their symptoms by taking anti-inflammatory drugs and immune system-suppressing medications. As doctors continue to learn more about the causes of lupus, they will be able to focus treatment efforts on the underlying problems and possibly discover a cure.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-causes-of-lupus.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.