Symptoms

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#9999FF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06776ba3.gif"> <div> <B>YOU ARE NOT ALONE!</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="21c98a00.gif" border=0 width="152" height="160" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Snow Globe by:</div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.designheaven.com/~jadedesigns/globes.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.designheaven.com/~jadedes"><U><IMG SRC="195787d0.gif" border=0 width="120" height="125" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#99CCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06876ba3.gif"> <div> <IMG SRC="615d43c0.jpg" border=0 width="468" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Symptoms</B></div> <div>  <img src="HTMLobj-680/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="79" height="117">  </div> <div> No one knows what causes lupus.  Because the symptoms are so wide spread and vary from person to person, there has been no definite lupus gene discovered.  Some think it is genetic yet it involves more than genes to develop lupus.  There is sunlight, stress and even drugs that are associated with it.  Some even think a virus might trigger the disease.  They do know it is not a contagious disease.  What is know is that the body's immune system does not operate properly.  Everyone's body produces antibodies.  They help protect the body from infections, bacteria, and viruses.  Well a lupus patient's body produces what is called auto antibodies.  They are antibodies that attack healthy cells and tissues resulting in inflammation and damage to the body.  Today, this is one of the most active areas of research.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="21a55530.gif" border=0 width="85" height="83" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>The Symptoms of Lupus:</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Swollen and/or Pain in joints, legs or around eyes</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Muscle aches and pains</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Extreme fatigue</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Reddish looking rash on face (known as "Butterfly" rash)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Sun Sensitivity</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Swollen glands</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Chest pain upon deep breathing</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Unexplained fevers</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Unusual hair loss</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Raynauds (pale fingers/toes from cold or stress)</div> <div> Note:  These symptoms vary among lupus patients.  Some can be mild and some severe. </div> <bR> <div> <B>The follow are parts of the body which can be affected:</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Kidneys</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Heart</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Lungs</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Central Nervous System</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Blood vessels</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899006600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Blood</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="3d60e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Next Page</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6600CC" FACE="Arial" ><B>: </B><B> </B></FONT><A 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