Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where your body's immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues, and as a result damages your skin, joints and organs.
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, it is estimated that 1.5 million Americans and at least five million individuals worldwide have a form of lupus.
There are many unpleasant symptoms associated with lupus, the most common being joint pain and stiffness, muscle aches, weakness, fatigue, a butterfly-shaped rash across the nose and cheeks, other skin rashes, weight loss or weight gain, and anemia.
Unfortunately, lupus can be very difficult to diagnose. You may go through numerous tests and still be left with unanswered questions, not to mention a delay in the healing process. This is exactly what happened to Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana.
After being struck by a drunk driver, her symptoms of lupus were triggered and quickly emerged. Maria became extremely ill and doctors couldn't figure out what was causing her health to decline. After about two months, doctors were finally able to give her a diagnosis of lupus.
What advice does Marisa have for anyone who might be suffering from lupus?
Listen in as Marisa shares her personal story on her lupus diagnosis and why it inspired her to write a book about the disease.
Monday, 02 March 2015 10:11
Achy Joints, Swelling, Butterfly Rash? You May Have Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans.
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 2
- Audio File: healthy_talk/1510ht1b.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana, Author
- Book Title: Lupus: Real Life, Real Patients, Real Talk
- Guest Website: Lupus Chick
-
Guest Bio:
Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana is an author, freelance writer and speaker, currently residing in New York and Florida.
Marisa has had over 300 articles published covering a wide variety of topics including health, business, religion, women's issues, and current events. She has been featured and interviewed on the topic of Lupus in Glamour, Eating Well, WebMD, MSNBC, South Florida Today, The Good News, Chicago Tribune and Yahoo.
Formally educated in Chemistry and Fine Art, Marisa was about to graduate with her RN degree when she was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. Confined to a bed, she rekindled her love for writing and embarked on a new and fulfilling career.
She is currently working on her second Lupus-related book and serves as a board member for the Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Florida Chapter. Marisa is also the founder of www.LupusSurvivalGuide.com, a website and blog designed for Lupus patients and their families, and www.Wordslingergal.com, a website for those interested in a writing career. - Length (mins): 10
- Waiver Received: No
- Host: Mike Smith, MD
Published in
Healthy Talk w/ Dr. Michael Smith
Tagged under