What is systemic lupus erythematosus?
Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) is a chronic disease that can cause inflammation, pain, and tissue damage throughout the body. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, in which a person's immune system attacks its own tissues as though they were foreign substances. If you develop serious lupus, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, or blood cells.
Although some people with lupus have mild symptoms, the disease can become severe. For most people, ongoing monitoring and treatment can control symptoms and prevent serious organ damage.
There are five types of lupus erythematosus: systemic, discoid/cutaneous, subacute cutaneous, drug-induced systemic, and neonatal. This topic focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common and serious type of lupus.
What are lupus symptoms like?
Lupus symptoms vary widely, and they come and go. Common symptoms are fatigue, joint pain or swelling (arthritis), fever, and skin rash (especially with sun exposure). Mouth sores and hair loss may occur. Over time, people with lupus develop nervous system symptoms, most commonly migraine headaches. Periods of time when symptoms worsen are called relapses or flares. Periods of time when symptoms improve are called remissions. Lupus symptoms rarely disappear completely.
What causes lupus?
Lupus has no single known cause. Experts believe that a combination of factors affect the immune system and trigger a reaction that causes lupus. These factors may be environmental, such as infections or hormones, or may be inherited. A person may be born with a certain genetic makeup that affects how the immune system functions or makes him or her at risk for lupus.
How is lupus diagnosed?
Lupus can take a long time to diagnose because there is no single definitive test for lupus. A diagnosis of lupus is based on a combination of signs, symptoms, and blood tests. It is easiest to diagnose lupus if you have typical symptoms and your blood tests positive for certain proteins called antinuclear antibodies, or ANA. A positive ANA suggests possible autoimmune disease, but by itself does not confirm a diagnosis of lupus.
How is lupus treated?
There is no known cure for lupus. You can control mild to moderate lupus symptoms with proper self-care, such as appropriate rest, exercise, and avoiding sun exposure. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or antimalarial medications can also help manage symptoms.
If you have severe lupus, especially if it involves vital organs, your doctor may recommend corticosteroids or other medications that suppress the immune system.
Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) is a chronic disease that can cause inflammation, pain, and tissue damage throughout the body. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, in which a person's immune system attacks its own tissues as though they were foreign substances. If you develop serious lupus, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, or blood cells.
Although some people with lupus have mild symptoms, the disease can become severe. For most people, ongoing monitoring and treatment can control symptoms and prevent serious organ damage.
There are five types of lupus erythematosus: systemic, discoid/cutaneous, subacute cutaneous, drug-induced systemic, and neonatal. This topic focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common and serious type of lupus.
What are lupus symptoms like?
Lupus symptoms vary widely, and they come and go. Common symptoms are fatigue, joint pain or swelling (arthritis), fever, and skin rash (especially with sun exposure). Mouth sores and hair loss may occur. Over time, people with lupus develop nervous system symptoms, most commonly migraine headaches. Periods of time when symptoms worsen are called relapses or flares. Periods of time when symptoms improve are called remissions. Lupus symptoms rarely disappear completely.
What causes lupus?
Lupus has no single known cause. Experts believe that a combination of factors affect the immune system and trigger a reaction that causes lupus. These factors may be environmental, such as infections or hormones, or may be inherited. A person may be born with a certain genetic makeup that affects how the immune system functions or makes him or her at risk for lupus.
How is lupus diagnosed?
Lupus can take a long time to diagnose because there is no single definitive test for lupus. A diagnosis of lupus is based on a combination of signs, symptoms, and blood tests. It is easiest to diagnose lupus if you have typical symptoms and your blood tests positive for certain proteins called antinuclear antibodies, or ANA. A positive ANA suggests possible autoimmune disease, but by itself does not confirm a diagnosis of lupus.
How is lupus treated?
There is no known cure for lupus. You can control mild to moderate lupus symptoms with proper self-care, such as appropriate rest, exercise, and avoiding sun exposure. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or antimalarial medications can also help manage symptoms.
If you have severe lupus, especially if it involves vital organs, your doctor may recommend corticosteroids or other medications that suppress the immune system.
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