Lupusis one of those mysterious diseases that doctors haven’t quite pinned down.
No one knows for surehow or why it occurs.
It won’t be until the science catches up with the disease that we will truly understand its roots.
Illustration by Joshua Seong. © Verywell, 2018.
In the meantime, we can look at contributors believed to factor into lupus as scientists understand them now.
90% of people with lupus are female, suggesting hormones play an important role.
However, female hormones like estrogen do not appear to cause lupus.
Rather, they appear to increase risk in those who are already susceptible to developing the disease.
However, infection is cited as one of the most common potential triggers for developing lupus.
Viruses and bacteria may also cause lupus flares.
Medications
It has been established that some medications are triggers of lupus and lupus flares.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been linked to lupus in children and adults.
Antigens can derive from toxins, bacteria, foreign blood cells, and the cells of transplanted organs.
In patients with lupus, particularly SLE, the immune system attacks antigens in healthy tissuesso-called auto-antigens or self-antigens.
These antibodies directed against auto-antigens are called auto-antibodies.
In other words, it takes a number of coincidental, unfortunate eventsa perfect storm, so to speak.
Estrogen, infections, certain medications, smoking, and UV light may be contributing triggers.
Women of childbearing age are at the greatest risk for developing lupus.
Since the exact cause of lupus is still undetermined, there is currently no way to prevent getting lupus.
StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
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