|
Lupus
is a general term; Lupus is
the common name for the disorder known as lupus erythematosus. The formal
name includes systemic lupus erythematosus where systemic means affecting the
entire body or internal system or SLE for short. "Lupus " is the Latin word
for "wolf." and it's common medical lore that the "butterfly rash"
seen on the cheeks of many lupus patients is similar to the facial markings
of a wolf.
It is a
disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy body tissue which
affects almost every organ in the body. It causes symptoms that can vary from
very mild to life threatening.
Lupus
affects approximately 1.5 million Americans, with the highest prevalence
among women of color, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and
Native Americans. Striking mostly young women of childbearing age.
Lupus can
cause severe joint and muscle pain, extreme exhaustion, fevers, skin rashes,
and can lead to organ failure and death. The exact cause of lupus remains
unclear and there is no cure. Diagnosis is difficult, as symptoms mimic other
illnesses and there is no specific diagnostic test. While no cure is
available, treatment is quite successful, most lupus cases can be controlled
to a large extent.
This site
is dedicated to all the people suffering from this terrible disease, and to
all the people who love them.
|
