Disease Details

Systemic Lupus erythematosus
Disease Type	Nervous System
Description	Lupus is a complex and poorly understood condition that affects many parts of the body. The symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. The term "lupus" is most often used to describe a more severe form of the condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These pages focus on SLE. However, there are several other types of lupus that just affect the skin, including: • Discoid lupus erythematosus • Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus Some medications can also cause lupus-like side effects, known as drug-induced lupus.
Causes	SLE is an autoimmune condition, which means it's caused by problems with the immune system. For reasons not yet understood, the immune system in people with SLE starts to attack and inflame healthy cells, tissue and organs. As with other more common autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, it's thought a combination of genetic and environmental factors may be responsible for triggering SLE in certain people. Most cases of SLE occur in women of childbearing age. The condition tends to be less common in white people of European origin and more common in those of African, Caribbean or Asian origin.
Symptoms	SLE can cause a wide range of symptoms, depending on the areas of the body affected. The most common symptoms are: • Rashes – particularly on the face, wrists and hands • Fatigue (extreme tiredness) • Joint pain and swelling Many people have long periods with few or no symptoms before experiencing a sudden flare-up, where their symptoms are particularly severe. Even mild cases can be distressing and have a considerable impact on a person's quality of life.
Treatments	There's currently no cure for SLE, but there are different medications that can help relieve many of the symptoms and reduce the chances of organ damage. These medications include: • Hydroxychloroquine – a medicine that has historically been used to treat malaria, but can also help treat some symptoms of SLE • Corticosteroids – anti-inflammatory medications • Immunosuppressant – a group of medicines that suppress your immune system With good levels of support from friends, family and healthcare professionals, many people with SLE are able to manage their condition effectively.