First off, lupus is not rare. But we definitely need a spokesperson. We need someone famous to take on lupus as their cause. The problem with lupus is, people can't tell how sick you really are. That's one of the reasons lupus doesn't get the respect it deserves. When my patients apply for disability, often they are turned down. One of the major things that happens in lupus is chronic fatigue, and there is no way to measure that.

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that affects some 1.5 million Americans. Earlier this year, the WSJ noted that no new Lupus drugs had been approved since Eisenhower was president. But the article noted that several drugs are in mid- and late-stage trials for the disorder.

Each person with lupus has slightly different symptoms that can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. However, some of the most common symptoms of lupus include painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, and extreme fatigue. A characteristic red skin rash (the so-called butterfly or malar rash) may appear across the nose and cheeks. Rashes may also occur on the face and ears, upper arms, shoulders, chest, and hands.

Lupus is a chronic disease where the immune system, for unknown reasons, makes a mistake and reacts to the body's own tissues. It becomes hyperactive, and attacks normal tissues, which result in inflammation and brings about the symptoms, which are called flares. There are three types of lupus: Coetaneous or Discoid lupus, which affects the skin; Systemic lupus, which attacks multiple systems in the body including the skin, joints, lungs, blood, heart, kidneys, liver, brain, and nervous system.

Doctors can diagnose systemic lupus using eleven criteria established by the American Rheumatism Association. If a patient has four or more symptoms, then a diagnosis is strongly urged. Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus are: malar (butterfly rash over the cheeks), discoid skin rash (patchy redness), photosensitivity (reaction to sunlight), mucus membrane ulcers (in the mouth, nose or throat), arthritis (swollen, tender joints), pleuritis/pericarditis (inflammation of the lungs/heart tissue)

Complication of Lupus

Kidneys: Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) can impair their ability to get rid of waste products and other toxins from the body effectively. Because the kidneys are so important to overall health, lupus affecting the kidneys generally requires intensive drug treatment to prevent permanent damage. There is usually no pain associated with kidney involvement, although some patients may notice that their ankles swell. Most often the only indication of kidney disease is an abnormal urine or blood test.

Black Walnut

Black Walnut comes in tinctures and capsules. It claims to clean the body of parasites and tapeworms. I use Black Walnut extract to clear up any infections, stomach problems, diarrhea and sore throats that I have. I found that Black Walnut plus Ester C and niacinamide cleared up canker sores and sore throats. Black Walnut extract is added to many herbal preparations or it can be taken on its own. Black Walnut is a good remedy for me to bring along while travelling, as helps to keep my blood clean of any local parasites or bacteria.