Claims Of Smith's Lupus Not Surprising Says Autoimmune Diseases Association
Although a diagnosis of lupus for Smith has not yet been confirmed, it is not uncommon for celebrities to try to keep their autoimmune diseases hidden from the public. "People who suffer from lupus, as with the more than 80 autoimmune diseases, often keep their disease hidden from their family and friends because they fear that their disease will be misunderstood," explains Virginia Ladd, Autoimmune Diseases Association president.
A lack of awareness of autoimmune disease often leads to this misunderstanding. A study conducted by the group found that 29% of Americans mistakenly think autoimmune disease is AIDS and only 5% of respondents could even name an autoimmune disease. While the National Institutes of Health have estimated that 24.5 million Americans have one or more autoimmune diseases.
According to the Autoimmune Diseases Association, it is not unusual for autoimmune disease patients to spike a high fever, as has been reported in Smith's case. Symptoms of autoimmune disease can be very confusing to both patients and their physicians.
"Smith gave birth to her daughter last fall and if she had lupus, the symptoms of the disease can really flare up three months after delivery," explains Robert G. Lahita, M.D., P.h.D., Chairman of Medicine at Jersey City Medical Center and author of the book, Women and Autoimmune Disease. "Her symptoms were consistent with a diagnosis of lupus."
Smith's rapid weight gain could likely be explained as a side effect of her medications. Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for multiple autoimmune diseases including lupus.
"Autoimmune diseases have been cited in the top ten leading causes of all deaths among U.S. women younger than 65," says Stanley M. Finger, PhD, chairman of the Autoimmune Diseases Association. "The public is always surprised to learn this." Autoimmune diseases strike women more often than men. In lupus, women are affected nine times more often than men.
The Autoimmune Diseases Association is the only national organization dedicated to addressing the problem of autoimmunity, the major cause of chronic illness. It is leading the effort to have Congress declare the month of May as Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month (ADAM). For more information, please visit the association's website at http://www.aarda.org/.
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe, MI 48021-2227
United States
http://www.aarda.org/
Creanþe ale lui Smith nu este surprinzãtor spune lupus boli autoimune de asociere - Claims Of Smith's Lupus Not Surprising Says Autoimmune Diseases Association - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate