No, Really...Why?

Despite my kumbaya post on why I got lupus, I'm sure a lot of people are still wondering why and how, in the medical/scientific sense, someone gets lupus.  Is there something I did that put me at higher risk?  Is there something I didn't do that could have prevented it?

The short answer is that experts don't know.

To go into more detail, I'll address some common questions:

Is lupus contagious?
Lupus is not contagious.  You can't "catch" it from someone who has it.

Is lupus hereditary?
This is a complex question.  While lupus itself is not passed down, experts believe that there is some kind of genetic connection.  Certain ethnic groups (people of African, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Island descent) have a greater risk of developing lupus, which may be related to genes they have in common.  Some experts think that it specifically has to do with a gene on the X-chromosome, which would explain why it primarily occurs in women.

Doctors believe that you may inherit a predisposition to lupus, but not lupus itself. People with this predisposition to lupus may develop the disease when it is triggered by environmental factors.

What kind of environmental factors could trigger lupus?
The onset of lupus can be triggered by a number of environmental factors.  These factors could also trigger a flare in a person with lupus.  Some examples include:

• Ultraviolet light from the sun or fluorescent light bulbs
• Medication/drugs/antibiotics
• An infection/illness
• Stress - emotional or physical

What role do hormones play with lupus?
Women have noted that symptoms often get worse after ovulation and get better at the beginning of the menstrual period.  This supports the theory that estrogen affects the severity of lupus, however it does not mean that estrogen causes lupus.  There have been studies that show a correlation between birth control pills and lupus, but there have been conflicting reports.

Why is so little known about the cause of lupus?
While researchers don't know exactly what causes lupus, they are making headway in understanding the disease more. While scientifically still a “black box,” better diagnostic techniques and treatment methods has led to more effective management of the disease and its complications.

Just 20 years ago, only 40 percent of people with lupus were expected to live more than 3 years following a diagnosis. Now, with earlier diagnosis, the latest therapies, and careful monitoring, most people with lupus can look forward to a normal lifespan.

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I know that still doesn't answer the question of why people get lupus, but it is a start. Hopefully researchers will continue to make headway and we will one day understand what causes lupus.  Maybe, just maybe, they will even find a cure!  *crosses fingers*

- a little lupie -