Lupus: The Immune System

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The immune system is the most important system in the human body because it protects the body from strange objects, such as viruses, bacterium, and germs. Unfortunately, sometimes the immune system becomes overactive and attacks different areas of the body, such as the lungs, joints, heart, blood, skin, kidney, or brain, which are a healthy area in the body. This overactive of the immune system can lead to many diseases, known as autoimmune diseases. These autoimmune include many diseases, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis, rheumatic fever, lupus, Addison’s and celiac disease. Lupus is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. It is estimated by the Lupus Foundation of America that, “at least five million people worldwide have a form of lupus.”[1] …show more content…

Sometimes, lupus affects the patients’ kidneys and makes them become unable to function properly. This condition is called lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis is the most serious type of lupus because the kidneys have significant functions to help control blood pressure and filter wastes and toxins from the blood. Moreover, it has dangerous symptoms which are high blood pressure, increased urination at night, and blood in the urine. It is stated by Webmed that, “up to 60% of lupus patients will develop lupus nephritis. When the kidneys are inflamed, they can't function normally and can leak protein. If not controlled, lupus nephritis can lead to kidney failure.”[5] In addition, lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys that due to the effect of …show more content…

The urine becomes foamy due to protein leakage in the urine and swelling (edema) in different parts of the body like ankles, around the eyes, and legs because the kidneys can not remove the fluid out of the body. The patient gains weight because of the excessive fluids in the blood, which the kidneys become unable to eliminate. Vomiting toxins are also effects of lupus nephritis because the kidneys can not remove toxins from the body, and they can result an abnormal process in the digestion and function of the liver. Addtionally More effects might include pain in the mid back (flank) and high blood

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