Systemic lupus erythematosus sounds quite nasty but what is it?

Answer 1

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is potentially debilitating and sometimes fatal as the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. SLE can affect any part of the body, but most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys and nervous system. The course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flares) alternating with remission. Lupus can occur at any age, and is most common in women, particularly of non-European descent. Lupus is treatable symptomatically, mainly with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, though there is currently no cure.

== == The word itself is also Latin for Wolf

Answer 2

Lupus is not caused by a pathogen. Lupus develops in the presence of a genetic predisposition and triggers. There are cases of genetically identical twins where one develops lupus and the other does not. Epstein Barr virus is implicated as a trigger, but not in all people. Other triggers are trauma, long term stress, cigarette smoke and UVA/UVB light. There is no definitive lab test for lupus. In lupus, the immune system can attack any system or organ in the body. 40% of those with systemic lupus will have kidney disease. But any organ can be affected. This varies from patient to patient.

Answer 3

The cause of lupus is not fully understood. In order to develop lupus, a person has to be genetically predisposed and then something has to trigger that gene expression. There are many cases of identical twins where one develops lupus and the other does not.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. In lupus, the immune system mistakenly targets healthy parts of the self causing inflammation, pain, and sometimes permanent damage.

Answer 4

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that affects over 1.5 million Americans, and over 5 million people world wide. In lupus, the person's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of the self. Lupus can affect any organ. Lupus may be limited to the skin (discoid or cutaneous lupus) or it can affect the body internally (systemic lupus). Drug induced lupus occurs when certain medications induce lupus-like symptoms. Drug induced lupus goes away when the offending medication is withdrawn. Neonatal lupus affects some newborns of mothers with lupus. It may present as a rash that clears in six months or less, but in severe cases the infant will have congenital heart block and require surgery.

Answer 5

Systemic lupus erythematosus, more frequently known as SLE lupus, is a condition where the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue. Some of the symptoms include inflammation and organ damage.

Answer 6

It is characterized, in part, by Arthritis, skin rash, weakness, and fatigue

Answer 7

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a disease in which coin-shaped (discoid) red bumps appear on the skin