Lupus
Lupus afflicts as many as one million Americans, 90% of whom are
women.
Lupus is the leading cause of death among women with autoimmune
diseases who are in their childbearing years. People with lupus are at
greater risk of heart attacks, strokes, osteoporosis and kidney
failure than would be expected in those without lupus.
Lupus is a rheumatic disease affecting skin and body tissue.
Additionally, some people experience involvement of organs such as
kidneys, lungs, or heart. Lupus is generally diagnosed between age 18
and 45. Lupus is treatable, but can be a very serious impairment
The Lupus death rate has increased 60% over the past 20 years.
Symptoms of Lupus include:
- Swollen or painful joints
- Prolonged fatigue
- Frequent unexplained fever
- Arthritis
- Skin Rashes
- Anemia
- Chest pain upon deep breathing
- Unusual loss of hair
Treatments for lupus include anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids
and various chemotherapy drugs that suppress the immune system.
Stem cell transplants are still in the experimental stage as a
treatment for lupus. This
treatment works on the principal that once the immune system slate is
wiped clean, the body can re-learn how to defend itself properly
again.
With people with autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, the immune
system attacks its own tissues and organs and must be re-taught to
differentiate between the body’s own cells and foreign attackers.
In order to be a candidate for a stem cell transplant, a source of
potentially healthy cells must be found and often comes from a
suitable donor.
Even to be considered for stem cell transplants, the patient must
have failed to benefit from all other conventional therapies.
Stem cells can be extracted from the bone marrow of living patients
and from umbilical cords.
