COLLAGEN DISEASES – GENERAL INFORMATION
Posted on May 15, 2009, under General health.
SLE is also called a collagen disease because it affects the collagen fibres in connective tissues which holds together all the organs of the body. In this disorder there is inflammation of the walls of blood vessels, a vasculitis, and this is thought by some to be the prime lesion.
The condition of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus is a skin disease which produces a “butterfly” type rash on the cheeks, forehead, chin and ears.
Although this facial rash is one of the classic signs of the generalised condition, it is rare. The cause is unknown, but several drugs used for other conditions are capable of provoking a reaction which appears indentical with SLE. Withdrawal of the drug is usually followed by improvement but many people have persistent symptoms.
The lesions may affect any part of the body, so there are a variety of symptoms and the disease may not be initially recognised. Most sufferers develop inflammation of the joints and may be thought to have rheumatoid or some other form of arthritis.
Muscle pain is also common. The skin is commonly involved and this may cause a variety of rashes, none of which is diagnostic of the condition.
The lungs may be involved and lead to shortness of breath or the covering of the lungs becomes inflamed, leading to pleurisy.
*262/71/1*
