The cause of LED is a combination of a hereditary predisposition, environmental factors, and factors related to the sex hormones. 90% of the affected people are women. The result of the disease is a derailed immune system. Studies indicate that Lupus patients often suffer from some kind of food intolerance and not seldomly are they affected by a pronounced hypersensitivity towards chemical substances. Research also indicates that LED patients have a reduced ability to oxygenate sulphur.
The disease can manifest itself in many different ways, depending on which antibodies are produced against which organs and tissues. It might affect a single organ or it can occur at various locations around the body. Most people suffering from the disease experience alternating periods of worsening and symptom relief.
There is usually a quite common list of symptoms such as tiredness, uneasiness, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Almost all patients suffer from joint- and muscle pain and there is also often skin symptoms - e.g. in the form of reddening over the nose area which may take the form of a butterfly. The skin changes are worsened by exposure to sunlight.
Renal changes and changes in the central nervous system, circulation, lungs, and gastrointestinal canal might occur. Changes in the eyes and mucous membranes can also arise.
Medical treatment mostly consists of trying to suppress the abnormal activity in the immune system which can be done by using adrenocortical hormone. In mild cases, however, this treatment is avoided if possible and, instead, the symptoms are being suppressed with analgesic substances, e.g. acetylsalicylic acid.
