by Stacey Case

Created on: November 02, 2009   Last Updated: November 04, 2009

Well let's start with the simple facts. There are more Lupus patients than Multiple Sclerosis or Aids. Most are women but yes, there are some men too. Usually symptoms will appear from ages 15 and 25 but can appear at anytime in the persons life and sometimes even at birth(neonatal lupus). Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Doctors do not fully understand what causes Lupus but have found some evidence to lead them to believe that it may be caused by genetics and sometimes could be drug induced. For most the cause will never be known.

The name "lupus erythematosus" comes from lupus, which is Latin for "wolf," and "erythema," which refers to reddened skin. In the past, people thought that patients with the facial rash looked as though they had been bitten or scratched by a wolf.

The large majority of lupus patients are women.

Lupus is not contagious.

There is no one symptom or test that means someone has lupus.

Many lupus patients develop arthritis.

Many people with lupus have to stay out of the sun.

Most lupus patients can lead nearly normal lives.

There are no two lupus patients that present with the same symptoms or have the same disease progression. There are two main types of Lupus with varying degrees of severity. First is what most people think of when they hear the word. That is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is when anything in your body can be attacked and damaged. It can affect the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, spleen, gallbladder, appendix, joints, brain, thyroid, and pretty much anything else it wants depending on the severity of the persons symptoms. The other is Disciod Lupus which for some will only affect the skin and joints but can progress into the systemic at some point.

There is also a list of 11 guidelines doctors go through to help and if the patient has at least four of these guidelines it is very likely that they have Lupus. They are:

Malar rash: butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose

Discoid (skin) rash: raised red patches

Photo sensitivity: skin rash as a result of reaction to sunlight

Mouth or nose ulcers: usually painless

Non erosive Arthritis (bones around joints do not get destroyed): in 2 or more joints with tenderness, swelling, or effusion

Cardio-pulmonary involvement: inflammation of the lining around the heart (pericarditis) and/or lungs (pleuritis)

Neurologic disorder: seizures and/or psychosis/cognitive dysfunction

Renal (kidney) disorder: excessive protein in the urine, or cellular casts in the urine

Hematologic (blood)disorder:

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