Lupus Awareness

"Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in different parts of the body. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks itself. Its symptoms can show up in many different ways, which sometimes makes it hard to diagnose. Lupus symptoms can range from mild to life threatening, so early diagnosis and treatment by a rheumatologist are important. A rheumatologist is a doctor who has additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis, lupus, and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones.

Lupus Health Disparities

Systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, is a type of lupus that can affect multiple organs. SLE occurs more in women and minorities, especially blacks, and symptoms can range from mild to life threatening. In a study examining death rates among people with lupus, blacks had higher rates of death than whites, and had significantly higher rates of death from the time of diagnosis. Among those with SLE, blacks were significantly younger when they died than whites (average age of 52 vs. 64 years). Early diagnosis of SLE and proper treatment are critical to preventing long-term consequences of the disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Lupus

People with SLE can have many different symptoms, including:

• Fatigue or extreme exhaustion no matter how much they sleep.
• Joint pain or swelling.
• Skin rashes (in particular a butterfly-shaped face rash across the cheeks and nose).
• Hair loss.
• Recurring mouth sores..."
  Lupus

Could It Be Lupus?

"Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect people of all ages. The signs and symptoms can be different for different people. Learn about this disease and its signs and symptoms.

Lupus Awareness

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in different parts of the body. Its symptoms can show up in many different ways, which sometimes makes it hard to diagnose. Lupus symptoms can range from mild to life threatening, which is why early diagnosis and treatment by a rheumatologist are so important.

Are You at Risk for Lupus?

Systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, is the most common and serious type of lupus and can affect people of all ages, including children. However, women of childbearing age—15 to 44 years—have the highest risk. SLE affects women far more than men (estimates range from 4 to 12 women for every 1 man).

African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians/Alaska Natives have higher rates of SLE than whites. African American women have the highest rate, according to recent studies supported by CDC..."
Lupus

Lupus among Asians and Hispanics

"Lupus is an autoimmune disease that triggers inflammation in different tissues of the body. The severity of lupus can range from mild to life threatening. According to recent studies supported by CDC, Asian women and Hispanic women are more likely to be affected by the disease compared with white women.

Signs and Symptom of Lupus

Lupus can affect people of all ages. However, women of childbearing ages—15 to 44 years—are at greatest risk of developing the disease. Men are at lower risk.

People with lupus can have many different symptoms. Some people with the disease may experience fatigue, pain or swelling in joints, skin rashes, and fevers. Additional symptoms can include sun sensitivity, oral ulcers, arthritis, lung problems, heart problems, kidney problems, seizures, psychosis, and blood cell and immunological abnormalities.

People with the disease may have a period of lupus symptoms every so often (called flares), sometimes even years apart, that go away at other times (called remission). They may experience these flares frequently throughout their life..."

Lupus