Systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of How is SLE different from other forms of lupus? SLE can cause inflammation of multiple organs or organ systems in the body, either acutely or chronically. In contrast, What causes SLE? Experts don’t know what causes systemic lupus erythematosus, but lupus and other autoimmune diseases do run in families. Women ages 15 to 44 and certain ethnic groups—including African American, Asian American, Hispanics/Latino, and Native American—are at higher risk for developing SLE than the rest of the population. What are the symptoms of SLE? Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) vary from person to person and they may come and go and change over time. Lupus shares symptoms with other diseases, which can make it difficult to • Skin rashes • Pain or swelling in the joints (arthritis) • Swelling in the feet, and around the eyes (typically due to kidney involvement) • Extreme fatigue • Low fevers Below is a brief description of some of the more serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus involving major organ systems. • Inflammation of the • Inflammation of the • Inflammation in the brain’s blood vessels can cause high fevers, seizures, and behavioral changes. • Hardening of the • Inflammation of the

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...

Overview People with lupus may develop a rash across the face. This symptom of lupus is often described as looking like a butterfly. What is lupus? Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly referred to simply as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause swelling (inflammation) and pain throughout your body. When you have an autoimmune disease, your body’s immune system fights itself. The immune system is supposed to fight possible threats to the body — infections, for example — but, in this case, it goes after healthy tissue. If you have lupus, you might experience joint pain, skin sensitivities and rashes, and issues with internal organs (brain, lungs, kidneys and heart). Many of your symptoms might come and go in waves — often called flare-ups. At times, symptoms of lupus might be mild or not noticeable (meaning they’re in remission). Other times, you could experience severe symptoms of the condition that heavily impact your daily life. What are the different types of lupus? There are several different types of lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common. Other types of lupus include: • Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: This type of lupus affects the skin — cutaneous is a term meaning skin. Individuals with cutaneous lupus erythematosus may experience skin issues like a sensitivity to the sun and rashes. Hair loss can also be a symptom of this condition. • Drug-induced lupus: These cases of lupus are caused by certain medications. People with drug-...

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. What is systemic lupus erythematosus? The The term lupus has been used to identify a number of immune diseases that have similar clinical presentations and laboratory features, but SLE is the most common type of SLE is a chronic disease that can have phases of worsening symptoms that alternate with periods of mild symptoms. Most people with SLE are able to live a normal life with treatment. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, at least Symptoms can vary and can change over time. Common symptoms include: • • • • • a • • • • fingers turning white or blue and tingling when cold, which is known as Other symptoms depend on the part of the body the disease is attacking, such as the Lupus symptoms are also symptoms of many other diseases, which makes diagnosis tricky. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor. Your doctor can run tests to gather the information needed to make an accurate ...