Lupus Awareness Month

Imagine never having the opportunity to bask on sunny days because the sunlight bothers you. Imagine being covered in a severe rash or experiencing fatigue to the point that your body shuts down and you collapse. Or frequent episodes of hair loss, mouth sores, joint problems... How painful would that be? Unfathomable.

Here's what happens. Normally, our immune system produces "antibodies" which are proteins that fight off unwanted substances such as viruses, bacteria and germs. Instead of doing so, with lupus, you are "autoimmune" meaning that your antibodies cannot tell the difference between viruses (for example) and your body tissues. The body goes ahead to create "autoantibodies" that not only attack but also destroy your healthy tissues. As a result, you are forced into a whirlwind or feeling really well or really ill.

Lupus is neither contagious, cancerous, nor related to HIV/AIDS. It can however range from mild to life threatening. It mostly strikes women of child-bearing age. (15-44 years) It is believed that 5 million people in the world have a form of lupus and 90% of those diagnosed with lupus are women.

This disease is far more severe than people think it is. In fact, it is a very difficult disease to diagnose because its symptoms resemble those of other diseases. Unfortunately, while some know nothing about it, some have to live with it. For this reason, I have put this post up to educate you, my lovely readers, on it.

Kindly spread the word so as to support research on lupus. Speading awareness also encourages those who have to live through it. You could also wear purple (like I have) to show that you care!

Go ahead and take a picture of you in purple then attach a link to your picture on the comment section below or reach me through my Facebook Page, Twitter Page or my Instagram account :)

:)

If you have lupus, know that there is a community out here that loves you and cares, immensely! You are stronger than you know. <3

xx
Mimmie