Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and pain, due to the body's immune system becomes overactive and mistakenly attacking healthy cells. In essence, SLE, or Lupus as it is commonly called, manifests as though a person's body is allergic to itself.

Typically, Lupus can flare and go into remission, but it is considered a chronic disorder, and some types of Lupus are chronic and progressive. Progressive means the condition will continue to get worse over time, and chronic means the condition will stay and may get worse.

With proper treatment, mild cases of Lupus respond well, and the patient can lead a near normal life and life expectancy. However, more serious cases of Lupus can cause complications that are life threatening.

Because there are different types of Lupus, and no two people are alike, the symptoms for Lupus can vary from extremely mild to life threatening. Also, because Lupus attacks various parts of the body--it's known as the 'great imitator' of other diseases--the symptoms of Lupus can vary depending on what part of the body the disease is attacking at that time.

• Extreme fatigue
• Unexplained Persistent fever
• arthritis
• Unexplained Joint/Muscle Pain
• Skin rashes
• Widespread inflammation
• Secondary Fibromyalgia

• Malar rash
• Discoid rash
• Photosensitivity
• Oral ulcers
• Serositis
• Kidney disorder
• Neurological disorder
• Blood disorder – anemia, leukopenia, *lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia
• Abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA)

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's important to schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional to receive proper evaluation and testing.

If you experience three or more of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Lupus can cause damage to internal organs that cannot be repaired, but the damage can often be prevented if caught early enough.

Only a qualified healthcare professional can make a Lupus diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

The treatment for lupus will depend on your signs and symptoms. Different medications will be used to treat the various symptoms. There have been no new Lupus medications approved in the US for over 50 years.

There is a new drug on the horizon, Benlysta, that might be available to Lupus patients in the near future, but the cost of the medication, at $20,000 per year or more, is prohibitive to most patients. It is not known yet whether insurance companies will cover the cost of this medication. http://www.hgsi.com/BENLYSTA.html

If you have lupus it is important to take care of your body. Some things to do would be get plenty of rest, protect against ultraviolet rays, get plenty of exercise, avoid smoking and eat a healthy diet. People with lupus often experience anxiety, depression and frustration. It is suggested to learn as much as you can about lupus because the more educated you are about it, the better you will feel about your treatment choices. Taking time for yourself and connecting with others who have lupus is also a good step towards learning to cope with the disease.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Lupus, please consult your doctor.