No, but some people with discoid or cutaneous go on to develop systemic lupus erythematosus which, if left untreated, can be life threatening in the minority of patients.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus attacks all the systems of the body specifically the immune systems, the lungs and the kidneys. An individual with lupus basically dies of complications of the disease.
Lupus is an incurable autoimmune disease that can range from mild to life threatening. For some people, lupus affects only the skin and hair, causing rashes and patchy baldness. For other people, lupus affects internal organs. Systemic lupus erythematosus causes inflammation, joint and muscle pain, profound fatigue, fevers, rashes, mouth ulcers and more.
Alveolar rheumatic lupus is a rare, life threatening manifestation of lupus that can possibly cause a hemorrhage in the little sacks (alveoli) in the lungs.
While the majority of cases if lupus are mild to moderate, lupus can also be life threatening. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. If it affects organs, it can be dangerous. The most common causes of death from lupus are kidney failure, uncontrolled infection and cardiovascular events.
Most cases of lupus are mild to moderate. If the patient follows the treatment plan, a normal life expectancy can be attained. Fewer cases are life threatening and some are fatal. Strides in diagnosis and treatment over the last 40 years have changed a diagnosis of lupus from a death sentence to a life sentence. Lupus patients are more susceptible to infection and cardiovascular events than the general population.
The treatments goals in lupus are two fold: provide relief from the symptoms and pevent permanent damage. Depending on the severity of lupus and what body parts are affected, different medications and strategies are used. Since lupus is an inflammatory disease, both non-steroidal anti-iflammatory medications and steroids are often used. Since lupus is an auto-immune disease, various immunosuppressive drugs are also used. Some of these are hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), steroids (both antin-inflammatory and immunsuppressive), mycophenoloate mofetil (Cellcept), methotrexate, azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). If the lupus patient has any of the lupus clotting factors, blood thinners like coumadin are added to the treatment regimen. Recent research shows that lupus patients are twice as likely as the general population to experience cardiovascular events so some doctors are also prescribing statins. Attention to a healthy diet, an exercise program, stress management and avoiding UVA and UVB light are useful tools in managing lupus.
Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease in which the cells of the immune system which are supposed to protect against pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and toxins) mistakenly target the health self. There is no cure for lupus. Lupus is managed by suppressing the immune system with a variety of medications. Most cases of lupus are mild to moderate, but it can also be life threatening. Lupus is also a remitting/flaring disease characterized by periods of calm called remission and periods of activity called flares.
It is not life threatening if it is minor.
Lupus can be wide spread, but most medication stops it from doing so. Most Lupus cases have deterioration of the kidney and bladder functions. But, I am not a doctor. Please refer to a rheumatologist.
Henriette Mertz was an American attorney and author who wrote books on the subject of ancient civilizations and historical mysteries. She is best known for her work on the controversy surrounding the Kensington Runestone and theories of pre-Columbian contact with America.
With medical management and treatment, you can lead a normal life with lupus.