Information about Lupus...
What Is Lupus?...
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the joints and almost every major organ in the body, including the heart, kidneys, skin, lungs, and brain. A person’s risk of developing lupus appears to be determined by genetic (hereditary) factors. However, the onset of the disease may be triggered by environmental factors such as infection, sunlight, or stress. In autoimmune disorders such as lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. The major hallmark of this autoimmune attack is inflammation. The course of lupus varies and is characterized by alternating periods of flares (increased disease activity) and remissions. Some people with lupus experience only mild lupus symptoms and have few complications. Others experience frequent flares that lead to moderate or even severe complications...
Who Gets Lupus?
The number of people with lupus in the United States has been estimated to be as many as 1.5 million. Anyone can develop lupus, including children, but certain people are more likely to develop the disease. The ALR-funded International SLE Genetics (SLEGEN) Consortium research project has indentified links between specific genes and women with lupus. Nine out of ten people who have lupus are women, and the disease usually strikes during the childbearing years. Lupus is three times more common in African-American women than in Caucasian women and is also more prevalent in women of Latino, Asian, and Native American descent.
What Are the Symptoms of Lupus and How Is it Diagnosed? Unfortunately, the warning signs of lupus can mimic the warning signs of other diseases. Common symptoms of lupus include persistent low-grade fever, extreme fatigue, and painful or swollen joints. The so-called lupus rash, which often manifests as a butterfly-shaped reddish or purplish rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks, is another common medical sign. However, no single test can be used to diagnose lupus, and it may take several months or years after symptoms first appear for doctors to make a definitive diagnosis. There are blood tests that a doctor can use to help diagnose lupus, but none of these tests are definitive.
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