The Future of Lupus: Is Hope on the Horizon?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease  in which your body attacks its healthy cells and tissues. The disease can cause achy joints, swelling, inflammation, skin rashes, chronic pain, hair loss, blood clotting, anemia, weight loss/gain, and extreme fatigue.

Lupus can also cause some serious damage to other parts of your body, like your kidneys, lungs, heart, bone tissue, and your central nervous system. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, there is an estimated 1.5 million Americans living with lupus. Doctors believe that if you have lupus it's from a combination of both genetic and environmental factors such as smoking, stress, and chemical exposure.

Lupus can be very difficult to diagnose, since there are several types with a myriad of vague symptoms... all which can cause doctors to believe it's something else.

Even though lupus can be treated to ease symptoms, there is no cure. However, there are changes on the medical and scientific horizon in terms of diagnosing and treating lupus.

Currently, treatments for lupus depend on your age, symptoms (since symptoms can vary from patient to patient), overall health, and current lifestyle. Typically, treatment includes several medications to help manage the pain and inflammation your body chronically feels.

What's the future of lupus?

Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana joins Dr. Mike to discuss the current treatment options for lupus, as well as the future of the disease.