One thing I want to start doing with my little internet space here on the blog, is to every once in awhile bring attention to certain causes and hopefully in the process of bringing attention to a cause, I’ll be able to educate myself more as well as be able to provide some information to others.

I want to kick that off by bringing some awareness to a disease that you’ve likely heard or read about in passing but probably don’t know a whole lot about- lupus. I have a very good friend who was recently diagnosed with lupus and since May is Lupus Awareness Month, I’d like to share some information on lupus and where/how you can help spread more information or donate to fund more research into finding a cure for the disease!

+ Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and pain in any part of the body due to the immune system attacking healthy body tissues.

+ Lupus most commonly affects the skin, joints, and internal systems (kidneys, heart), but can also affect a variety of bodily systems and functions due to it’s affect of having a wide variety of symptoms.

+ In general, there is not one single “first” symptom that can be associated with lupus. The early signs and symptoms of lupus are generally the symptoms that those with lupus will continually deal with throughout their lives : extreme fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, swelling in the hands and feet or around the eyes, headaches, chest pain when breathing deeply, light sensitivity, and/or hair loss. Symptoms tend to come and go and can change over time.

+ There is no known cause of Lupus but there are certain risk factors, such as: women aged 15-44, certain racial/ethnic groups, having a family member with lupus or other autoimmune diseases. Experts believe there may also be a relation to lupus with certain environmental triggers.

+ 76% of lupus patients say that fatigue caused by lupus has forced them to cut back on social activitis.

+ 89% of people with lupus say that they can no longer work full-time due to complications caused by lupus.

+ Lupus is a chronic disease with no cure, although treatments can help improve symptoms.

This May, The Lupus Foundation of America is looking to increase awareness and bring more support to those living with lupus and those supporting someone who has lupus. If you’d like to donate to help fund research and education, you can follow this link here!

If you’d like to learn more about the disease, or to learn more about what is being done to end lupus, please follow this link here!

I think one of the hardest things about being a support person for someone fighting with an illness, is not knowing exactly what that person is going through. The only way we can be there for people is to learn more about their struggle and to take on the responsibility of doing the research and trying to be the best advocate that we can!

#LupusAwarenessMonth