More people have lupus than AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis combined. LFA market research data show that between 1,400,000 and 2,000,000 people reported to have been diagnosed with lupus. (Study conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research, 1994.) For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. Thousands of Americans die each year from lupus-related complications.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (pronounced: er-uh-thee-muh-toe-sus)
Also called SLE, this is the type of lupus that most people mean when they talk about the disease. It was given its name by a 19th century French doctor who thought that the facial rash of some people with lupus looked like the bite or scratch of a wolf ("lupus" is Latin for wolf and "erythematosus" is Latin for red).SLE is the most serious form of lupus. Like Chantelle, about 15% of the people who have SLE first start to feel sick when they are teens. SLE can affect the skin, joints, and tendons. It may also affect organs like the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys.
What are the symptoms?
There are many possible symptoms. These may be mild or severe, with flare-ups occurring intermittently.SLE 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 pains in the joints.Thrombophlebitis, hair loss, painless mouth ulcers, headaches, anaemia, fits, high blood pressure, pleurisy, pericarditis and kidney disease may all occur.How many people are affected?
There are an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 sufferers in the UK. Women are nine times more likely to be affected than men. SLE commonly starts in the teens and 20s.People of Afro-Caribbean and Asian origin are more likely to develop SLE than Caucasians.Prevention
It's not possible to prevent SLE.Treatment
There's no cure for SLE. Anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroids or immuno-suppressants 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.
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