Anatomy and Physiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: How Lupus Affects The Body

Anatomy and Physiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus causes tissue inflammation and blood vessel problems
almost anywhere in the body. SLE specifically affects the kidneys. Kidney’s tissues, including
the blood vessels and the surrounding membrane, become swollen or inflamed , and the
chemicals produced by the body directly form in the kidneys. Such changes make it impossible
for the kidneys to perform its function. The swelling of SLE can be observed in the heart’s
muscle, lining, and covering. Moreover, heart can be still be affected even if you can’t any heart
symptoms. The dominant problem is occurrence of bumps and swelling of
the endocardium, which is the lining membrane of the heart chambers and valves. SLE also
causes swelling and breakdown in the human skin. Rashes can be seen anywhere, but the most
common spot is across the cheeks and nose which is commonly called as the butterfly rash.
Causes
In SLE, heredity plays a role. If someone has a close relative who had or has SLE, they
have a greater chance of developing the disease also. However, genes alone dis not more likely
to cause SLE. The disease can be triggered in unknown reasons. Not all people with a tendency
of SLE will directly develop the disease. Researchers think there are other ways that triggers or
set off SLE. These includes: infections, toxins, some kinds of drug prescription, stress, diet, and
lifestyle. The factors mentioned above may also help explain why the disease SLE has a cycle of
flare-ups and remissions.
How Lupus Affects the Body

In individuals with lupus, the immune system begins to perceive or recognize and attack
the body’s own tissues. This phenomenon is somewhat similar to “friendly fire” and causes
swelling or inflammation in different parts of the body. It is important to perceive, however, that
lupus can affect various individuals in various ways and that signs and symptoms can possibly
flare up and remis.
Skin
Rashes caused by SLE are red, itchy, and painful. The rash can show up on any part of the body.
The most typical SLE rash is called the butterfly rash, which appears on the cheeks and across
the nose. SLE also causes hair loss. The hair usually grows back once the disease is under
control.
People with SLE tend to be very sensitive to sunlight. Being in the sun for even a short time can
cause a painful rash. Some people even get a rash from fluorescent lights at work.
Muscles and Bones
Almost everyone with SLE has joint pain or inflammation. Any joint can be affected, but
the most common spots are the hands, wrists, and knees. Usually the same joints on both sides of
the body are affected. The pain can come and go, or it can be long lasting. The soft tissues
around the joints are often swollen, but there is usually no excess fluid in the joint. Many SLE
patients describe muscle pain and weakness, and the muscle tissue can swell.
In its late stages, SLE can cause areas of bone tissue to die, called osteonecrosis.. Osteonecrosis
can cause serious disability. It can be caused at least in part by using high doses
of corticosteroids over a long time. Corticosteroids help control the symptoms of SLE.
Kidneys
People with SLE usually don’t notice any problems with their kidneys until the damage is
severe. Sometimes kidney problems aren’t noticed until the kidneys are actually failing.
Membranes
In the body, membranes surround your internal organs. The membranes around your
lungs, heart, and the organs in the abdomen become inflamed in SLE. This is called serositis and
can be seen on X-rays. Many SLE patients develop symptoms of pleurisy (swelling of the
membrane around your lungs). The pericardium, the membrane around your heart, is often
affected as well.
Cardiovascular System
About a third of people with SLE can possibly develop kidney disease (nephritis). Heart
problems may also appear in SLE, such as inflamed sac-like membrane around the heart also
called as pericarditis and abnormalities of the human heart valves, which manages the blood flow
in the heart. Heart disease arise from fatty buildup in the blood vessels which is knowns as
artherosclerosis, which is dominant in the general population, is even more likely to be common
in people with SLE.
Nervous System
SLE can cause headaches, seizures, abnormal blood vessels in the head, and many other
problems with the nervous system. SLE can also cause organic brain syndrome. This disorder
involves serious problems with memory and concentration, emotional problems, and severe
agitation and hallucinations. Any of these symptoms may show up alone, without any other
symptoms of SLE. The inflammation characteristic of SLE can also damage the nervous system,
and may result in abnormal sensation and weakness in the limbs (peripheral neuropathy);
seizures; stroke; and difficulty processing, learning, and remembering information (cognitive
impairment). Anxiety and depression are also common in SLE.
Digestive System
Problems with the stomach and intestines are common. Symptoms include abdominal pain, loss
of appetite, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. In most cases this is caused by serositis in the
membrane around the organs in your abdomen.
Lungs
SLE can cause many lung problems.
 Inflammation of the lungs, called Lupus pneumonitis, can come on suddenly or slowly. It

has many of the same symptoms of pneumonia.
 A hemorrhage (burst blood vessel) can occur in the lungs.
 A blood clot can form in the artery going to the lungs.
 The blood vessels in the lungs can begin to contract.
 Shrinking lung syndrome involves scarring of the lungs due to long standing
inflammation decreases the lungs’ capacity to take in air. It seems that the lungs can no
longer hold normal amounts of air.
Blood
SLE causes very low levels of red and white cells in your blood. SLE often does not
directly cause low levels of red blood cells, called anemia. Anemia is instead caused by blood
loss, kidney problems, or the drugs taken to control the disease.
References:
Systemic lupus erythematosus - Genetics Home Reference - NIH. (2016, July). Retrieved from
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/systemic-lupus-erythematosus

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Anatomy and Physiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

How Lupus Affects the Body

Muscles and Bones

 Inflammation of the lungs, called Lupus pneumonitis, can come on suddenly or slowly. It

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