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What is lupus?
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the blood vessels and connective tissues of the skin and various parts of the body.
There is also a simple form called discoid lupus that affects just the skin.
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Lupus symptoms
There are many possible symptoms. These may be mild or severe, with flare-ups occurring intermittently.
Lupus often begins with a skin rash over the nose and cheeks that is shaped like a butterfly and made worse by exposure to the sun. This may be accompanied by tiredness and joint pains.
Other symptoms may include:
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Lupus causes
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body turns upon itself, seeing its own cells as foreign matter to be destroyed, causing the tissues to become inflamed and swollen.
It isn't contagious. The precise cause is unknown, although it may be triggered by hormones, infections, sunlight or stress.
There are an estimated 50,000 people with lupus in the UK. Women are nine times more likely to be affected than men. Lupus commonly starts in the teens and 20s.
People of Afro-Caribbean and Asian origin are more likely to develop lupus than caucasians.
Top
Treatment and recovery
There's no cure for lupus. Anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroids or immunosuppressants may be used to relieve symptoms and control the disease, while physiotherapy can help to relieve joint problems.
Sun exposure should be avoided and infections treated promptly.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the blood vessels and connective tissues of the skin and various parts of the body.
There is also a simple form called discoid lupus that affects just the skin.
Top
Lupus symptoms
There are many possible symptoms. These may be mild or severe, with flare-ups occurring intermittently.
Lupus often begins with a skin rash over the nose and cheeks that is shaped like a butterfly and made worse by exposure to the sun. This may be accompanied by tiredness and joint pains.
Other symptoms may include:
- Thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein after a blood clot forms)
- Hair loss
- Painless mouth ulcers
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Anaemia
- Fits
- High blood pressure
- Pleurisy
- Pericarditis
- Kidney disease
Top
Lupus causes
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body turns upon itself, seeing its own cells as foreign matter to be destroyed, causing the tissues to become inflamed and swollen.
It isn't contagious. The precise cause is unknown, although it may be triggered by hormones, infections, sunlight or stress.
There are an estimated 50,000 people with lupus in the UK. Women are nine times more likely to be affected than men. Lupus commonly starts in the teens and 20s.
People of Afro-Caribbean and Asian origin are more likely to develop lupus than caucasians.
Top
Treatment and recovery
There's no cure for lupus. Anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroids or immunosuppressants may be used to relieve symptoms and control the disease, while physiotherapy can help to relieve joint problems.
Sun exposure should be avoided and infections treated promptly.