Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is the General Prognosis of Lupus?

Jacob Queen
Jacob Queen

The prognosis of lupus can be relatively variable, but for most patients, it isn’t particularly grim. In many cases, treatments are available that will allow lupus patients to live normal lives, and it doesn’t usually affect a person’s lifespan. There are cases of lupus that are more severe. Sometimes it will very aggressively attack important organs, but this is fairly unusual, and even in those cases, there are often ways to keep the disease under control. The prognosis of lupus worsens if the patient doesn’t take the proper precautions and use the treatments recommended by doctors.

One reason the prognosis of lupus isn’t particularly bad is because the disease isn’t usually that severe. The majority of patients don’t have to deal with the most severe consequences of lupus, and many of them only have occasional periods where symptoms are acute. The use of steroids for inflammation and antimalarial drugs has also helped improve the prognosis of lupus for some patients.

African Americans are far more likely to develop lupus than their Caucasian peers.
African Americans are far more likely to develop lupus than their Caucasian peers.

Lupus is the result of a confusion in the immune system that causes it to attack the body’s organs. This normally results in damage and inflammation, which can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. Many lupus patients feel exhausted for no reason, and they often have arthritic pain in their extremities, along with various rashes. These symptoms usually come and go periodically, and the frequency of symptom outbreaks varies a lot from one patient to another. Some doctors use treatments to weaken a person’s immune system as a way of lessening the symptoms of lupus, but that approach is normally reserved for severe cases.

Most who suffer from lupus are women; it is also more common among those of Asian descent than other races.
Most who suffer from lupus are women; it is also more common among those of Asian descent than other races.

Sometimes lupus patients can minimize outbreaks by staying away from the sun. Most people with lupus have a problem with tolerating sunlight, and even though they may not be aware of it, sunlight can worsen or increase lupus symptoms. People with lupus are also often advised to avoid certain substances, like alcohol, for example.

Most people who suffer from lupus are women, but occasionally, it affects men as well. It’s also much more common among people with African, Latin, Native American, and Asian descent. There are several different kinds of lupus, and the causes are still mysterious. Some doctors think there is a genetic connection, and some cases of lupus are actually caused by medical allergies. When it is caused by an allergic reaction to medicine, it will usually go away if the person gives up the offending drug, but this is the only kind of lupus that is curable.

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

Lupus prognosis is definitely better than what it used to be. I don't deny that this is a difficult disease. It has no cure and even diagnosis can be difficult. But medicine is improving quickly and I believe that there will be more treatment options for those with lupus in the future.

I've read that there is a new medical method now where an individual's own immune cells are "re-programmed" and taught to behave differently. I think this method may prove beneficial for lupus. Who knows, maybe one day lupus will be cured altogether.

Positive psychology is very important with lupus as with most health disorders. It's important to remain positive and hopeful. So lupus patients need to do their best to fight depression and anxiety. I know it's not easy, I've had lupus for thirty years. But things do get better and it's important to continue believing that.

ysmina

@SarahGen-- I disagree with you. Lupus disease symptoms for most people are manageable with medications. Of course there are flare-ups when one experiences more symptoms or a worsening of symptoms. But flare-ups can be prevented or limited with the regular use of medications and with lifestyle changes that reduce stress.

There are rare but very serious forms of lupus out there. In some cases, the inflammation affects organs like the heart, lungs and brain as the article also mentioned. For example, if the brain is inflamed, the consequences can be severe. So I think that those of us with mild forms of lupus need to be thankful.

SarahGen

The prognosis of lupus seems grim to me. I was diagnosed with it recently and I feel absolutely awful. My joints are stiff and inflamed, I'm tired all the time and I have a rash. I can't even prepare a meal for myself. I would call this anything but a bright prognosis.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • African Americans are far more likely to develop lupus than their Caucasian peers.
      By: poco_bw
      African Americans are far more likely to develop lupus than their Caucasian peers.
    • Most who suffer from lupus are women; it is also more common among those of Asian descent than other races.
      By: blvdone
      Most who suffer from lupus are women; it is also more common among those of Asian descent than other races.
    • Lupus may cause the lymph nodes to swell.
      By: Barabas Attila
      Lupus may cause the lymph nodes to swell.
    • The prognosis of lupus will worsen if a patient does not use treatments recommended by doctors.
      By: sepy
      The prognosis of lupus will worsen if a patient does not use treatments recommended by doctors.
    • An individual suffering from lupus may experience severe headaches.
      By: mast3r
      An individual suffering from lupus may experience severe headaches.
    • Individuals suffering from lupus may have an increased risk of developing lung cancer.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Individuals suffering from lupus may have an increased risk of developing lung cancer.