Lupus is a chronic disease, which means that it is long-term and can according to the national resource centre on lupus. inflame and hurt any part of your body.

It is an autoimmune disease that means that your immune system, which normally fights infections, instead targets/attacks healthy tissue.

What is inflammation?

Typically, inflammation occurs when your immune system is battling an infection or an injury.  In different parts of the body, inflammation can be present as a result of lupus making your immune system attack healthy tissue.  Swelling and pain are examples of the symptoms.

Your most typical symptoms of lupus include:

• Skin
• Joints
• Heart and kidneys (internal organs).

Lupus can cause a wide range of distinct symptoms due to the fact that it affects numerous body systems.

What are the types of lupus?

When people discuss lupus, they often refer to systematic lupus.  The four types of lupus are as follows:

• The most prevalent type of lupus is systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• Cutaneous lupus is a type of lupus that only affects the skin.
• Several prescription drugs can cause drug-induced lupus, a condition that resembles lupus.

Who is at risk of developing lupus?

Lupus can affect anybody.  However, some people have a higher risk of developing lupus.  Women who are 15 to 44 years old, some racial or ethnic groups, or individuals who have family members with lupus, (hereditary).

9 (nine) out of 10 people with lupus are women, but lupus is not contagious, which means that you cannot “catch’ lupus or give it to someone else.

What causes lupus?

No one knows the cause of lupus, but most autoimmune diseases are hereditary.  Experts believe it may be caused by environmental triggers or certain hormones such as estrogen.

What to do when you suspect that you may have lupus?

If you want to know if the symptoms you’re experiencing could be caused by lupus, a doctor can help you with a diagnosis.

For more information, go to their website.