Gaining information about lupus is the first step in managing the disease. Armed with info on lupus, the patient can make solid lifestyle and medical choices to ease the symptoms of lupus and prevent flare ups.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body. Lupus can involve the joints, the skin, the kidneys, the lungs, the heart and/or the brain. Lupus typically affects two or three body symptoms.

Lupus is not a simple disease to understand. Lupus does not have a clear set of signs that people can see. Lupus can look like different diseases and lupus is different for every person who has it. The person diagnosed with lupus must gather as much information about lupus as possible to better understand the disease.

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There are three main types of lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form and can involve many parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. SLE symptoms can range from mild to serious. Discoid lupus erythematosus mainly affects the skin and drug-induced lupus is a lupus subtype that is triggered by certain medications.

Basic lupus info includes information on common lupus symptoms, information on the prevalence of lupus. Information about the diagnosis of lupus, how to cope with lupus and where to go for more info on lupus are also included. For more in-depth info about lupus, link to the resource pages at the bottom of this article.

Gather as much lupus information as possible. Ask questions. Talk to your doctor, family, and friends. Join a lupus support group for support and real-life info on lupus.

Common lupus symptoms include;

• Painful or swollen joints.

• Depression, trouble thinking, and/or memory problems.

• Unexplained fever.

• Red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks.

• Chest pain with deep breathing.

• Extreme fatigue.

• Unusual hair loss.

• Swollen glands.

• Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress.

• Sensitivity to the sun.

Other lupus symptoms include mouth sores, unexplained seizures, hallucinations, repeated miscarriages and unexplained kidney problems. The signs of lupus differ from person to person and range in severity.

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Lupus Information: Cause.
Researchers still do not know what causes lupus, or how to cure lupus. However, lupus can be managed in most cases. Lupus is not transmitted to other people. Lupus is not cancer and is not related to AIDS.

Lupus Information: Who Gets Lupus?
Lupus is most common in women between the ages of 15 and 44. Although men can also have lupus, 90 percent of people with lupus are women. African American women are three times more likely to get lupus than white women. It's also more common in Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and American Indian women.

Both African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos tend to develop lupus at a younger age, have more symptoms at diagnosis and have more severe disease than whites. African American patients tend to have more seizures and strokes while Hispanic/Latino patients tend to have more heart problems.

Lupus Information: Diagnosis.
Lupus, called the "Great Imitator," is often mistaken for other diseases and can be difficult to diagnose. Since there is no single test for lupus, your doctor may need to run several tests. It may take time for your health care provider to diagnose lupus.

The health care provider will review current symptoms and medical history can provide clues to your disease and conduct a complete physical exam to look for rashes and other symptoms.

Laboratory testing of blood and urine samples will often show if your immune system is overactive. Your doctor might also take a skin or kidney biopsy to examined for signs of an autoimmune disease.

A rheumatologist specializes in treating diseases like lupus that affect the joints and muscles. Your general practitioner can refer you to a rheumatologist.

Lupus Information: Treatment.
Your doctor will choose a treatment based on your symptoms and needs. Aspirin or a similar medicine may be used to treat swollen joints and fever. Topical creams may be prescribed for a rash. Antimalaria drugs, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy drugs are used for more serious presentations of lupus.

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