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Is It Lupus? - Lupus: Not A Simple Disease

From Carol & Richard Eustice,
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Part 1 of 10 - What Is Lupus?

Not A Simple Disease

Lupus isn’t a simple disease with an easy answer. If you think you may have lupus, you probably have many questions.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Your body’s immune system is like an army with hundreds of soldiers. The immune system’s job is to fight foreign substances in the body, like germs and viruses. But in autoimmune diseases, the immune system is out of control. It attacks healthy tissues, not germs.

Lupus is a disease that can affect many parts of the body. Everyone reacts differently. One person with lupus may have swollen knees and fever. Another person may be tired all the time or have kidney trouble. Someone else may have rashes. Lupus can involve the:

  • joints
  • skin
  • kidneys
  • lungs
  • heart and/or the brain

If you have lupus, it may affect two or three parts of your body. Usually, one person doesn’t have all the possible symptoms.

Types Of Lupus

There are three main types of lupus:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form. It’s sometimes called SLE, or just lupus. The word “systemic” means that the disease can involve many parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. SLE symptoms can be mild or serious.

  • Discoid lupus erythematosus mainly affects the skin. A red rash may appear, or the skin on the face, scalp, or elsewhere may change color.

  • Drug-induced lupus is triggered by a few medicines. It is similar to SLE, but symptoms are usually milder. Most of the time, the disease goes away when the medicine is stopped.

    1. Part 1 of 10 - What Is Lupus?
    2. Part 2 of 10 - What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Lupus?
    3. Part 3 of 10 - What Is A Lupus Flare?
    4. Part 4 of 10 - What Causes Lupus?
    5. Part 5 of 10 - How Do You Find Out If You Have Lupus?
    6. Part 6 of 10 - What Will The Doctor Do For Your Lupus?
    7. Part 7 of 10 - How Can I Cope With Lupus?
    8. Part 8 of 10 - Can Exercise Make Your Lupus Feel Better?
    9. Part 9 of 10 - Hope Through Research For Lupus
    10. Part 10 of 10 - Where Can People Find More Information About Lupus?

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    Updated: May 26, 2006
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