Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

So few have heard of it, yet worldwide it's seen as more common than leukaemia, multiple sclerosis & muscular dystrophy.

Over 30,000 people have the disease in the UK of whom 90% are female. Men & young children can also be affected by lupus. The ratio of women to men(who are affected) being 9:1.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, a type of self-allergy, whereby the patient's immune system creates antibodies which instead of protecting the body from bacteria & viruses attack the person's own body tissues. This causes symptoms of extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, anaemia, general malaise, & can result in the destruction of vital organs. It is a disease with many manifestations, & each person's profile or list of symptoms is different. Lupus can mimic other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis & rheumatoid arthritis, making it difficult to diagnose.

Currently there is no single test that can definitely say whether a person has lupus or not. Only by comprehensive examination and consideration of symptoms and their history can a diagnosis be achieved.

Lupus is neither infectious or contagious.

Lupus can be triggered-
�at puberty	�during the menopause
�after childbirth	�after viral infection �
�through sunlight	�as a result of trauma�
�after a prolonged course of medication

�

The symptoms:
These may include -
-extreme fatigue	-joint/muscle pain
-eye problems	-depression
-mouth ulcers	-facial or other rashes
-miscarriage	-hair loss
-anaemia	-fever
-possible involvement of the kidneys, heart, lungs & brain�

There is no cure...

People diagnosed with lupus normally remain under medical care with continuing medication. Many symptoms have less impact as a result, but side effects can often occur. Lupus can adversely influence the lives of those who suffer the illness, their families & friends.

SLE - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

...hard to say - harder to live with...