Lupus is an autoimmune illness that occurs when the physique’s immune system assaults its personal tissues and causes dangerous irritation.
About 1.5 million People live with some type of lupus.
9 out 10 folks with lupus are girls.
Widespread varieties of lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
SLE is the commonest kind of lupus. When folks point out lupus, they often imply SLE.
Within the U.S., SLE is:
3x extra frequent in Black and Native American folks
2x occasions extra frequent in Hispanic folks
SLE can have an effect on many components of the physique, together with:
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Coronary heart
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Lungs
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Pores and skin
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Kidneys
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Joints
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Mind
Some signs of SLE are:
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Fatigue
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Fever
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Joint ache, swelling, or stiffness
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Scaly rash
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Hair loss
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Mouth or nostril sores
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Swelling round eyes or in legs
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Foamy urine
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Painful respiratory
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Fingers turning colours within the chilly
Kidney irritation attributable to SLE can injury the kidneys, resulting in a situation known as lupus nephritis.
Cutaneous lupus (CLE)
Occurs when the immune system assaults the pores and skin, inflicting rashes which may be pink or scaly.
About 65% of individuals with SLE will develop CLE.
Signs of CLE embody:
Drug-induced lupus
Occurs when sure medicines set off an autoimmune dysfunction much like SLE.
Drugs most frequently linked to drug-induced lupus:
Signs of drug-induced lupus are much like these of SLE.
Neonatal lupus
Occurs when a pregnant particular person passes sure antibodies to the fetus.
These antibodies assault wholesome tissue within the fetus, inflicting lupus-like signs within the new child.
The commonest symptom:
Signs often clear up inside a yr, however in uncommon instances, neonatal lupus can have an effect on the child’s coronary heart, stopping it from beating correctly.
Shedding gentle on a posh situation
Lupus is difficult, however it may be managed.
For extra details about the various kinds of lupus, speak to your healthcare supplier or search out on-line assets like these supplied by the Lupus Basis of America.
Sources
Lupus Basis of America
This academic useful resource was created with help from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Novartis.
