Facts

LupusVoice

Lupus is more common than leukemia, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy combined. Yet, in a survey conducted by the Lupus Foundation of America, nearly a quarter of Americans polled have never even heard of the disease. Of those who had heard of it, only 20% could provide accurate basic information about it.
About 90% of those diagnosed with lupus are women, typically in the prime of life.
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune, connective tissue disease experienced by an estimated 1.5 million Americans. In laymen’s terms,  an autoimmune disease is one wherein the body’s immune system attacks itself just  as it would normally fight an infection. In the case of lupus, the immune system attacks connective tissue (which is found throughout the entire body.) This causes inflammation, which in turn leads to a variety of symptoms.
While it is often characterized by fatigue, pain, fever, skin rash, and arthritis, the symptoms of lupus are so varied that no two sufferers experience the disease in exactly the same way.
The course of the disease is highly unpredictable and may be mild or severe, affecting several organ systems in the body, or very few. The disease is often accompanied by other autoimmune diseases, so it is often difficult for doctors to determine which disease accounts for which symptoms, making it very difficult to diagnose.
The cause of lupus is still unknown. But several genetic, environmental and hormonal factors have been identified to be involved. Although there is no known cure for lupus, several treatments exist to minimize the variety of symptoms it is known to cause.
Available treatments also range from mild  to intensive, and have a variety of side effects, some of which may lead to other life-threatening diseases. Due to medical advances, however, lupus patients are expected to live an average life span.

Sources: The Lupus Book by Daniel J. Wallace, M.D. and the Lupus Foundation of America (www.lupus.org)