Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

Who gets lupus?

While lupus can appear in people of all ages and kinds, some people are at greater risk than others. Women are nine times more likely than men to develop lupus, particularly women of child-bearing age (15-44 years old). Lupus is more common among adults than children; people who have close family members with lupus are more likely to develop lupus themselves. Lupus is more common in certain ethnic groups than in others. People of European descent appear to be less likely to develop lupus, while people of African-American, Native American, Hispanic and Asian background are at an increased risk.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, caused by a malfunction of the body's immune system. It can affect the joints, heart, nervous system, brain, skin, lungs and kidneys.

How common is lupus?

Because it can be difficult to recognize and diagnose, it is also hard to know exactly how common lupus is. Recent estimates are that about five million people worldwide have the disease.

What are the symptoms of lupus?

Because lupus can affect multiple parts of the body, the signs and symptoms can vary widely between cases - as can their severity and time of appearance. The most common signs of lupus include: skin rashes on face, upper arms, chest, wrists, and hands, in …

How is lupus diagnosed?

Lupus diagnosis can be challenging, since the symptoms can be varied and appear at irregular time frames, with long periods of apparent wellness in between. Your doctor will typically make an initial lupus diagnosis on the basis of your medical history and a …

How is lupus treated?

Lupus cannot be cured, but it can usually be managed effectively with several types of medication. The two main goals of lupus treatment are to reduce inflammation and to prevent the immune system from further damaging the body. The types of medication may include …

Is lupus serious?

Lupus can be a serious, life-threatening condition. Specifically, potential complications of systemic lupus erythematosus may include kidney inflammation, cardiovascular disease, or respiratory disease and infections.

Can lupus be prevented?

There is no effective way to prevent lupus from occurring in the first place. A person with lupus can reduce the incidence and severity of lupus flares by making behavioral and lifestyle adjustments, such as: being knowledgeable and aware of the condition, its …

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the lining of joints, resulting in swelling, pain, stiffness and, over time, gradual joint damage. Fortunately, early treatment and appropriate physical activity can improve quality of life.…
Diseases & conditions

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in people with psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that can affect the skin, nails and joints. In psoriatic arthritis, one or more joints become stiff, swollen and painful. Early treatment makes living with the condition much easier.…
Diseases & conditions

Psoriasis

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system attacks healthy skin cells by mistake, causing patches of skin to become dry, scaly and itchy. It’s a long-term condition that tends to flare up and then fade in cycles.…
Diseases & conditions

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary condition that causes your body to absorb too much iron from your diet. Over time it accumulates in tissues and certain organs, including your heart, liver and pancreas. If undetected and untreated, this excess iron can damage tissues and organs.…
Diseases & conditions

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a common condition that causes widespread stiffness, aches and pain in muscles throughout the body. It can also cause extreme tiredness, which can interfere with carrying out normal activities. In some people the symptoms may come and go, while others experience pain every day.…
Diseases & conditions

Hives

Hives is a skin rash characterised by itchy, red swellings. It can appear on the face, trunk, arms, legs, and lips. Hives are commonly a sign of an allergic reaction, which can be triggered by a range of factors. Depending on the duration and severity, different treatment options are available.…

About this article

Author: Jonathan Meddings BMedLabSc (Hons)
First answered: 26 Nov 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 5.0 out of 5
Votes: 327 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Rheumatoid arthritis

×

Content goes in here.