-itis
- The suffix itis means
inflammation, therefore arthritis is inflammation of the joints,
hepatitis is inflammation of the liver etc.
Antibody - A Y-shaped protein produced by the body's B
cells that is used by the body's immune system to identify and kill
foreign substances including bacteria, viruses, and toxins.
Antigen - A molecule that stimulates the production of an
antibody as an immune response i.e. bacteria, viruses, toxins, and
in Lupus patients, autoantigens.
Anticardiolipin
Antibodies - A class of antibodies associated with
antiphospholipid syndrome.
Antiphospholipid
Antibodies - Antibodies that interfere with the way blood
vessels function. Typically they cause clotting, called
thrombosis, and/or narrowing and irregularity of the blood vessels,
known as vasculopathy.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
(Hughes Syndrome) - an
autoimmune disorder common in Lupus, characterized by recurrent
arterial or venous thrombosis and/or fetal losses coupled with
persistently elevated levels of antibodies against phospholipids.
more...
Arteritis
- Inflammation of arteries.
Arthralgia
- Joint Pain.
Arthritis
- Arthritis is defined as
inflammation of a joint that is usually accompanied by pain,
swelling, tenderness and stiffness. In Lupus joints are
typically warm and red and often fluid collects.
more...
Autoantibody -
An antibody directed against the body's own
healthy cells rather than against foreign invaders.
Autoantigens - A tissue, usually a protein or complex of
proteins (sometimes DNA or RNA), that the body recognizes as
foreign. These stimulate the production of autoantibodies.
Autoimmune -
An immune response by the body against it's own
cells. Autoimmunity is the failure of the immune system to
recognize the body's own tissues as "self" thereby attacking and
destroying them.
DX
- Abbreviation for diagnosis.
Fibromyalgia
- A syndrome characterized by diffuse or
specific muscle, joint or bone pain, fatigue and a wide variety of
other symptoms.
HDL
- High-Density Lipoprotein, or "good
cholesterol".
Hypertension - High blood pressure.
Inflammation - A localized immune response to an injury,
infection or irritation that is characterized by pain, redness and
swelling. Under normal circumstances it is used by the body to
heal but uncontrolled, as in Lupus, it can lead to damage.
Lesion
- An infected or diseased patch of skin, a sore.
LDL
- Low-Density Lipoprotein, or "bad
cholesterol".
Lupus Anticoagulant
- A class of antibodies associated
with antiphospholipid syndrome.
Malar
- Area on the face above the cheeks.
Nucleus (plural: nuclei) - The
membrane surrounded center of a cell that contains the cell's
hereditary material and controls the cell's metabolism, growth and
reproduction.
NSAIDs
- Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory
Drugs. Used to reduce inflammation in Lupus.
Peritoneal
Cavity -
The space in the abdomen where the organs are
located.
SSRIs
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors. A type of antidepressant.
Syndrome
- A group of signs or symptoms that characterize a condition.
Symptoms that "run together".
Thrombosis - The formation or presence of a thrombus (clot)
inside a blood vessel.
Tinnitus
- Ringing in the ears.
