WHAT IS LUPUS?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause pain and inflammation in the body. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy cells, tissues, and organs. These attacks cause inflammation that leads to tissue damage, which may be permanent in some cases.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms of lupus differ from person to person and may include:
Muscle and joint pain
Prolonged or extreme fatigue
Rash
Chest pain
Hair loss
Sun or light sensitivity
Fever
Mouth sores
Anemia
Memory problems
Blood clotting
Eye disease
Kidney problems (lupus nephritis)
Symptoms sometimes are worse (flares) and other times are better (remissions). Over time, new symptoms can develop while others fade.
WHO IS AFFECTED?
About 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with lupus are women aged 15 to 44, but men are affected as well.
Your risk for lupus is greater if you are a member of a racial/ethnic minority or other diverse group.
African American women are three times more likely to get lupus than non-Hispanic white women.
African American and Hispanic/Latina women usually get lupus at a younger age and have more severe symptoms, including kidney problems, than women of other groups.
African American, Chinese, and Hispanic/Latino people living with lupus are more likely to have serious organ system involvement than non-Hispanic white people living with lupus.
HOW IS LUPUS TREATED?
There is no cure for lupus, but medical treatments and lifestyle changes can help keep symptoms under control. Most lupus medications work to prevent flares, treat symptoms, and reduce organ damage and other problems. There are limited FDA-approved medications that treat the disease itself.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
Lupus Food and Drug Administration Office of Minority Health and Health Equity
Lupus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) National Institutes of Health National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Understanding Lupus Lupus Foundation of America
What is Lupus? Lupus Research Alliance There are limited FDA-approved medications that treat the disease itself.
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