There are four forms of Lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus, Drug Induced Lupus Erythematosus, and Neonatal Lupus. When people discuss lupus, they are usually referring to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. However, lupus in any form is an autoimmune disease. Our immune system is programmed to protect our bodies from foreign invaders that will do us harm such as germs, bacteria, and viruses. As soon as the immune system senses the presence of an invader, it produces antibodies to destroy it. However, in the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system fails to distinguish between the cells of our body and a foreign invader and attacks our body cells.
Drug induced lupus is caused by certain prescription drugs. It may have symptoms similar to systemic lupus erythematosus but it does not attack major organs and it is not chronic. This illness goes away within six months of stopping the medication. Neonatal lupus affects babies born to mothers who have lupus. It is a rare condition and can be treated before or at birth. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus is restricted to the skin. Rashes develop on the face, neck, scalp, in the mouth and nose. This form of lupus may also be accompanied by hair loss and changes in skin pigmentation.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus can attack any part of the body and may be mild or severe. Severe lupus affects major organs of the body such as the heart, lungs, brain, nervous system and kidneys. However, most cases of lupus are mild. Lupus affects women more often than men. Nearly ninety percent of the patients are women. The disease is most common in women between the ages of 15 and 44. It is also more likely to strike people of color. African Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Asian Americans and Hispanics are more likely to contract lupus than Caucasians. These ethnic groups will also experience symptoms at an earlier age and be more severely affected.
Lupus is a disease in which patients have good days and bad days. Some days your symptoms are worse and you feel ill; other days the symptoms are not as bad and you feel better. It is not a contagious disease in that it can be transmitted by contact however there is some evidence to indicate heredity may play a role. Lupus is extremely difficult to diagnose. The medical profession refers to lupus as the great imitator because its symptoms are the same as is present in many other illnesses. The symptoms are also vague and intermittent. And they vary according to the part of the body that is under attack.
There is no one diagnostic test that is conclusive. For instance there is a blood test called antinuclear antibodies or ANAs. It tests for the presence of abnormal antibodies. If one has a negative result, it indicates that one does not have lupus but a positive result does not mean that one does have. It will sometimes require years before a doctor can make a definite diagnosis of lupus. Treatment is dependent upon the part of the body that is affected by the disease, as is the type of doctor who will administer the treatment.
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