Overview
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, bones, joints and kidneys. Lupus affects more than 1.5 million people and is ubiquitous in African-American, Asian-American and Native-American women. Known as the woman's disease, lupus affects women 9 times more than men. However, men can be diagnosed with the disease. The cause of lupus is unknown and there is no cure for the illness, but steroids are used to control the effects of the symptoms. Although, there are four types of lupus: discoid (skin), neonatal (birth) and drug induced lupus erythematosus, this website will focus on systemic lupus.
The themes broken out explain what lupus is, the symptoms associated with the illness and how those diagnosed with lupus learn to live and cope in a body that is often unpredictable. These are all themes that I want to pursue because I want to gain a better understanding of the illness. I organized my themes in this manner because presently I have two family members that have been diagnosed with systemic lupus. I think it would be vital to communicate with close relatives in my family about lupus and their health. I also want to understand my relatives as people, but understand their illness as well because lupus is now a part of their identities and sense of self. That would be my greatest accomplishment, gaining a new perspective about the illness, and therefore strengthening our relationship. I think that with the right amount of research having a dialogic conversation about lupus can break those communication barriers.
In conclusion, I am excited to be doing some health seeking to enhance my health literacy. As I mentioned above, I plan to use this knowledge to be able engage in a dialogic conversation with my family. With the effects of lupus being so elusive, I also think being able to support those who have to live with lupus is a good thing. There can never be enough support for those living with the illness, but understanding the illness is vital as well. This is the time for me to educate myself.
The themes broken out explain what lupus is, the symptoms associated with the illness and how those diagnosed with lupus learn to live and cope in a body that is often unpredictable. These are all themes that I want to pursue because I want to gain a better understanding of the illness. I organized my themes in this manner because presently I have two family members that have been diagnosed with systemic lupus. I think it would be vital to communicate with close relatives in my family about lupus and their health. I also want to understand my relatives as people, but understand their illness as well because lupus is now a part of their identities and sense of self. That would be my greatest accomplishment, gaining a new perspective about the illness, and therefore strengthening our relationship. I think that with the right amount of research having a dialogic conversation about lupus can break those communication barriers.
In conclusion, I am excited to be doing some health seeking to enhance my health literacy. As I mentioned above, I plan to use this knowledge to be able engage in a dialogic conversation with my family. With the effects of lupus being so elusive, I also think being able to support those who have to live with lupus is a good thing. There can never be enough support for those living with the illness, but understanding the illness is vital as well. This is the time for me to educate myself.