Your immune system plays a vital role in protecting your body by attacking dangerous invaders such as viruses and bacteria.
But like any part of your body, your immune system can sometimes malfunction. One such type of malfunction is lupus.
Causes and symptoms
Lupus is a complex disease of unknown cause. Experts believe a combination of genetic, environmental and possibly hormonal factors may play a part.
The disease develops when the immune system becomes unable to distinguish between dangerous substances and your body's own cells and tissues. The immune system actually attacks the body. This leads to inflammation and damage to tissues.
Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain.
People with lupus can experience many different symptoms, but some of the most common are extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, headaches, skin rashes and hair loss.
There is no cure for lupus, but with the right treatment, people with the disease can lead active, healthy lives.
Types of lupus
There are four types of lupus:
Systemic lupus is the form of the disease most people are referring to when they say "lupus." This type can affect almost any organ or system of the body.
Cutaneous lupus is limited to the skin. It is identified by a rash that may appear on the face, neck and scalp. About 20% of cases are also systemic lupus, reports the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA).
Drug-induced lupus occurs infrequently after the use of certain prescribed drugs. According to the LFA, the drugs most commonly associated with this type of lupus are hydralazine (used to treat high blood pressure), procainamide (used to treat irregular heart rhythms) and isoniazid (used to treat tuberculosis). Symptoms usually disappear after the medicine is stopped.
Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that affects infants born to women who have lupus. According to the LFA, at birth the infants may have a skin rash, liver problems or low blood cell counts. However, the LFA says these symptoms disappear completely after several months with no lasting effects. Still, some infants with neonatal lupus can also have a serious heart defect.
With proper testing, doctors can now identify and treat most infants at or before birth. Most infants born to mothers with lupus are entirely healthy, according to the LFA.
Diagnosing lupus
No single test can determine whether a person has lupus, so making a diagnosis is difficult. Several laboratory tests can help doctors, but it may take months or even years to piece together the symptoms, according to the LFA.
Treating lupus
Treatment plans for lupus are tailored to the individual. Common types of medications are anticoagulants (to treat blood clots), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, immunosuppressants (to deter the immune system from attacking the body), and drugs used to treat malaria (to protect skin).
Some treatments may cause harmful side effects. Report any problems to your doctor. Regular monitoring by your doctor is important for keeping lupus in check.
Beyond that, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases offers the following advice for preventing problems with lupus:
- Learn to recognize warning signals.
- Maintain good communication with your doctor.
- Set realistic goals and priorities.
- Limit exposure to the sun.
- Maintain a healthful, balanced diet.
- Try to limit stress.
- Schedule adequate rest and quiet times.
- Participate in moderate exercise when possible.
- Develop a support system.
About 80% to 90% of people with lupus can look forward to a normal life span if they follow the advice of their doctors, take their medicine as prescribed, and seek help when problems arise, according to the LFA.
Reviewed 11/9/2023