What Exactly is Lupus?

Our immune system is an incredible thing. It’s a complex, disease-fighting machine, capable of fending off attacks from bacteria and viruses. But what happens when that same incredible system stops fighting diseases, and starts attacking you?

____________________

SICK is a new series that looks at how diseases actually work inside our body. We'll be visiting medical centers and talking to top researchers and doctors to uncover the mysteries of viruses, bacteria, fungi and our own immune system. Come back every Tuesday for a new episode and let us know in the comments which diseases you think we should cover next.
____________________

Read More:
The history of lupus erythematosus. From Hippocrates to Osler.

Environmental factors on systemic lupus

Genetic factors predisposing to systemic lupus

Elevated levels of IL-24 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Mayo Clinic

[digitalnation]

Before watching the video: I don't know much about Lupus
After watching the video: we don't know

[dickhamilton]

I like a Doctor who is able to say "I don't know".

[dewdroppedrose]

The constant, fast-paced music makes it extremely difficult to listen to what's being said.

[LongformJaunt]

This doctor seems like a genuinely good person who truly wants to help people

[abbers.c]

I've been living with it for years. Thank you for bringing awareness to it!

[donaldmoe]

In the late 1970s my father was on a trip with my mother to southern Africa and became deathly ill. He went to a hospital in Johannesburg (as I recall) and was diagnosed with Lupus by a doctor there who had been doing research on the disease. After stabilizing my father for travel back home to Florida, he sent along a packet of information on Lupus for the US doctors to better understand and deal with the care issues. Unfortunately my father succumbed and passed away in 1981 at 70. My father had contracted pneumonia numerous times in his life and that may have contributed to his weakened immune system.

[omarbassam]

I think that you are putting too much music in the video, you just don’t feel it is a scientific one...

[Arteps]

So if I die of Lupus...Does it count as suicide?

[emriks]

*Now for a serious comment* my mother had lupus 30 years ago, she was in her 40s. She claims it was alfalfa juice that triggered her lupus. Survival rate at the time was 1/1000+ so we were very lucky. the doctor that treated her said he had never had a lupus patient survive. She is now well and 70+.

We were very luck in Taiwan to have access to western meds like steroids to stop inflammation and Chinese herbal medicine to aid her recovery.

I am happy to see there is more attention on this horrible disease but sadden to hear we still don't know much about why it occurs.

[taylorminer]

I miss my auntie whom died earlier this year to lupus, 19 years she survived. I’m only 15 and I cannot imagine that pain, she would’ve won again but instead she was tired of fighting so we pulled it on her. I miss you everyday auntie, thank you vox for helping me understand this more than it’s understood itself

[YM-zfmt]

"what is lupus ? "
"we don't know."


well thank you ? i guess ?

[dr.catherineelizabethhalse]

When your immune system realizes that you yourself are your worst enemy.

[davranbekrozmetov]

It's never lupus

- Greg House

[GrandmaAnna]

I had no clue what Lupus was when I diagnosed! I have since learned, because learning about it is how you live with it.

[mattcali]

My gf has Lupus. Thank you for being blunt about the impact/ symptoms it has on

[gam]

I’ve had lupus and I had a basic idea of it but this helped me understand my disease more.


With me, We are not sure if my lupus is drug-induced or genetic since my grandma has it but when we stopped the meds I was on causing it, it just made it worse but eventually went into with the help of medication remission. Will you guys ever do a segment in Drug-Induced Lupus?

[yayaXO]

Childhood adverse effects can increase the likelihood of experiencing health problems (e.g. autoimmune disorder). Look up the ACE study for more info

As far as the demographic differences.. my best guess has to do with “who is experiencing more childhood stress?”

[anthonytindle]

The most helpful doctors are the ones that don't know and speak to you in your common language as we don't study medical names for everything as they do to get the position of doctor.

[paradoxxop]

Me: "doctor I have a fever"
Dr. House: "You have lupus"

[Wildenfree]

You all are amazing, thank you so kindly for producing this video 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾✨