Lupus

Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead. Lupus most commonly affects your: • • • Internal organs, like your Because lupus affects many What are the types of lupus? When people talk about lupus, they’re usually talking about systemic lupus. But there are four kinds of lupus: • • • • Who is at risk for developing lupus? Anyone can develop lupus. But certain people are at higher risk for lupus, including: • Women ages 15 to 44 • Certain racial or ethnic groups — including people who are African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander • People who have a family member with lupus or another autoimmune disease What causes lupus? No one knows what causes lupus — but lupus and other Lupus is not contagious—you can’t “catch” lupus or give it to someone else. What are the early symptoms of lupus? There is no one first sign or symptom of lupus. The early signs and symptoms of lupus are generally the same as the A doctor can

Lupus is an Symptoms usually start in early adulthood, anywhere from the teen years into the 30s. People with lupus generally experience flare-ups of symptoms followed by periods of remission. That’s why early symptoms are easy to dismiss. Because early symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, having them doesn’t necessarily mean you have lupus. Early symptoms can include: • fatigue • fever • hair loss • rash • pulmonary problems • kidney problems • swollen joints • gastrointestinal problems • • dry mouth and eyes Inflammation of the pulmonary system is another possible symptom of lupus. The Over time, breathing issues from lupus can shrink lung size. Ongoing chest pain and shortness of breath characterize this condition. It’s sometimes called vanishing (or shrinking lung syndrome). The diaphragmatic muscles are so weak they appear to move up in Inflammation can cause pain, stiffness, and visible swelling in your joints, particularly in the morning. It may be mild at first and gradually become more obvious. Like other symptoms of lupus, joint problems can come and go. If over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications don’t help, talk with your doctor. There may be better treatment options. But your doctor must determine if your joint problems are caused by lupus or another condition, such as It’s not uncommon for people with lupus to develop autoimmune thyroid disease. The thyroid helps control your metabolism. A poorly functioning thyroid can affect vital organs like y...

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What Is Lupus? Lupus is a disease of the immune system. When people talk about “lupus,” they’re often referring to the most common type, systemic Your immune system protects your body from infection. But when you have lupus, your immune system attacks your own tissues. This leads to tissue damage and illness. Achy joints (arthralgia) • • • Constant or severe • • • Pain in your chest when breathing deeply ( • A butterfly-shaped • • Sensitivity to the sun or other lights • • • Pale or purple fingers or toes when you’re cold or stressed ( Lupus Complications Many people who have active lupus feel ill in general. They have fever, • Skin . • Joints. • Kidneys . Up to half of people who have lupus get • Blood. People with lupus may have dangerously low numbers of red Changes in blood counts may cause • Brain and spinal cord. Rarely, lupus can cause problems in your brain. You might have confusion, • Heart and lungs . Lupus Causes Doctors don’t know what exactly causes lupus. But they think something – or some combinations of things – triggers your immune system to attack your body. That's why most treatments are aimed at weakening your immune system. The things that lead to this faulty immune response aren’t clear, but scientists think they include: Genes. There is very little evidence that particular genes directly cause lupus, but some genes seem to raise your risk for the disease. For example, people of certain ethnicities – Hispanic, Native American, African, Asian, Pacific ...

Overview Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus — a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks — occurs in many but not all cases of lupus. Lupus facial rash A typical sign of lupus is a red, butterfly-shaped rash over your cheeks and nose, often following exposure to sunlight. No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time. The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include: • Fatigue • Fever • Joint pain, stiffness and swelling • Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body • Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure • Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful perio...

Healthlineonly shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: • Evaluate ingredients and composition:Do they have the potential to cause harm? • Fact-check all health claims:Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? • Assess the brand:Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation throughout your body. However, it tends to primarily be a localized condition, so it’s not always systemic. An Many people with lupus experience a mild version of it, but it can become severe without proper treatment. Currently, there’s no known cure for lupus, so treatment focuses on easing symptoms and reducing inflammation. Healthcare professionals usually categorize four lupus types. Systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type of lupus. When you hear someone say that they have lupus, it’s likely they’re referring to SLE. SLE gets its name from the fact that it typically affects several different organ systems of your body. • kidneys • skin • joints • heart • nervous system • lungs SLE can range from mild to severe. The condition causes symptoms that may get worse over time and then imp...