Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is a severe autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s immune system. It then causes inflammation, causing harm to organs like the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells, and brain. Symptoms of this disease include but are not limited to arthritis, fever, rash, sensitivity to sun exposure, hair loss, swelling, headaches, depression, confusion, seizures, abdominal pain, swollen glands, etc. We will look into what causes lupus in detail.
Causes of Lupus
So, what causes lupus disease? The reason behind this is still unknown. Although researchers are still trying to locate what causes lupus, there a few factors that can cause a person to be more prone to acquiring this condition such as:
- Genes- Studies have concluded that people with certain types of genes are more prone to be affected by lupus. These genes give some instructions to proteins in the body that tend to affect the immune system.
- Environment- At times, environmental factors like infections, sunlight, and medications that are used to treat high blood pressure, antibiotics, anti-seizures, and smoking may be held responsible for triggering the development of lupus disease.
- Weakened immune disease- According to studies, when the body is not effectively able to remove the dead and damaged cells then the immune system keeps on fighting against them. This results in an autoimmune disease leading to the development of lupus in the body.
- Hormones- Hormones can be called chemical substances that are produced in the body. They are directly related to controlling the functioning of certain cells and organs of the body. According to the CDC, women are nine times more likely to suffer from lupus than men. More production of estrogen in the body increases the risk of autoimmune conditions such as lupus.
Conclusion
In this article, we hope we’ve helped you answer the question “What causes lupus?”. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects all the major organs of the body. Its symptoms and intensity may vary from person to person. People have cycles of flare-ups and remission. With the right care, treatment, and comprehensive health insurance coverage, individuals suffering from lupus can lead relatively normal lives.
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