Lupus is one of America’s least recognized major diseases. Nearly 1.5 million Americans have lupus. In fact, more Americans have lupus than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis combined, making it one of this country’s most prevalent medical problems. However, while lupus is widespread, awareness and accurate knowledge about it lag behind many other illnesses. Lupus is on the rise, and scientists don’t know exactly why.

So what is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects many Canadians,  In lupus, the immune system that protects the body from germs, viruses and bacteria begins to malfunction and fails to distinguish between the body’s own tissues and these foreign invaders.  As a result, the immune system attacks different parts of the body itself, causing inflammation in those tissues.  This inflammation gives rise to the symptoms that characterize lupus.

Lupus is a member of the autoimmune family of diseases, which included rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, scleroderma and others.  Lupus is not a form of cancer, is not related to AIDS and is not contagious.

Systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE) is the most common and serious type of lupus.  The autoimmune reaction in SLE may target any tissue of the body, including the skin, muscles, joints, blood and blood vessels, lungs, heart, kidneys and/or brain.

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed a 60 to 70 percent upsurge in lupus deaths between 1979 and 1998. Each year during the study period, death rates were more than five times higher for women than for men, and more than three times higher for African Americans than for Caucasians. Lupus is also more common among Latino, Asian, and Native American women.

The majority of Lupus patients are young women of childbearing age (15-55) but men and even young children can be affected. It is estimated that 1 in 750 women suffer from Lupus in the UK with the ratio of women to men being 9:1. Lupus is a worldwide disease more common in some races than others. The incidence in white women is 1 in 1000 compared with that in black women of 1 in 250 and Asian races also have a higher tendency to Lupus. Only 10% of Lupus patients are male.

With its many symptoms, Lupus can often be overlooked by a GP or consultant which may delay final diagnosis and a vital start to necessary treatment which can contain the disease and limit potential damage to the kidneys, heart, lungs or brain.

Those diagnosed usually remain in medical care and receive ongoing treatment. Many symptoms will have less impact but there may be side effects. Lupus can adversely affect the lives of sufferers and their families and influence relationships with friends and business colleagues.

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