What Is Lupus?
A better understanding of lupus begins with taking a closer look at this unpredictable disease.
My wife was just diagnosed with lupus. I have no idea what that means or if there’s anything I can do to help her—but I know I want to try.
Defining lupus
Lupus is a chronicchronic: a health condition that lasts a long time, typically more than 3 months. Lupus is a chronic condition that currently has no cure. disease that involves your immune system and can damage any part of the body. Your immune system is like a bodyguard against invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and other germs. Normally, a part of your immune system works to fight off these invaders by making antibodies.antibody: a molecule in your body that, when working correctly, protects the body from foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria.
But in the case of lupus, the immune system can’t tell the difference between the invaders and your body’s own healthy tissue. It creates autoantibodiesautoantibody: an antibody that destroys the body’s own healthy cells, which can cause inflammation and organ damage. that attack and destroy the healthy tissue, causing inflammationinflammation: the body’s response after an injury or infection in order to repair and heal itself; commonly identified by redness, heat, swelling, and pain. throughout various parts of the body. Over time, this inflammation may damage the organs of the body.
9 out of 10
adults with lupus are women
Who is affected by lupus?
Over 5 million people around the world have some form of lupus. While anyone can suffer from lupus:
- Women ages 15–44 are most likely to develop lupus. In fact, lupus occurs 9 out of 10 times more often in women than in men.
- Women of color, including African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latina, Native American, and Pacific Islander women, are also more likely to develop lupus compared with Caucasian women.
- People who have a family member with lupus or another autoimmune diseaseautoimmune disease: a disease that occurs when the immune system does not behave normally and attacks the body’s own tissues. may be at higher risk for lupus.
What causes lupus?
First, it’s important to know that lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You can’t catch lupus and you can’t give it to someone else.
No one understands yet what causes lupus. Scientists believe that it may come from a combination of things:
Hormones
- Because lupus affects more women than men, hormones (in particular, estrogen) might play a role.
Genetics
- A family history of lupus may make someone more likely to develop the disease.
Environment
- There may be a link between lupus and certain environmental factors, such as stress, viruses, and certain medicines.
1.5 million
1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, cutaneous lupus, drug-induced lupus, or neonatal lupus).
Slow the progress of lupus
An early diagnosis of lupus means starting treatment and understanding your triggers sooner rather than later. Treatment strategies can help control symptoms that may contribute to long-term organ damage.
If you think you may have lupus but you haven’t yet been diagnosed, talk to a doctor as soon as possible. They may want to perform blood tests, urine tests, or biopsies.biopsy: the process of removing small tissue samples from a patient for examination. They will also want to hear as many details as you can share about your symptoms. For help with tracking your symptoms, click here.
After a diagnosis, a rheumatologistrheumatologist: a doctor who specializes in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of autoimmune diseases and conditions that affect the muscles and bones. can help you manage lupus with medicines and lifestyle changes, such as using sun protection. While there is no cure, you and your doctors can create a treatment plan to help manage the disease.
2-3 times
more prevalent among women of color
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Learn more about the basics of lupus.
What Is Lupus?
Types of Lupus
Common Lupus Symptoms
Lupus Nephritis
What Is a Flare?
Resource Organizations
