How to Decide If You Have Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE or lupus, as it is commonly called, is a chronic and often times debiladating autoimmune desease. This is a disease that needs to be officially diagnosed and treated by medical professionals but it usually takes the patient's keen eye to realize what is happening to his/her own body.

First, you need to know what lupus is before you begin to learn the symptoms. As stated earlier, lupus is chronic, often debilitating and sometimes fatal. It usually strikes women (although men have also contracted it) in their childbearing years. But it has been known to strike women as late as their 50's and 60's.

SLE can attack any part of the body but does the most damage to the heart, kidneys, skin, joints, blood vessels, liver and the nervous system. In short, lupus sends signals to your body's defense system to attack healthy tissue. This disease attacks without prejudice. It is unpredictable and the attacks, which are referred to as flares, can alternate with periods of remission. Each time a person may have a 'flare', the symptoms may be totally different. This may be anything from hair loss to hair gain(in body areas that did not have that amount of hair previously), inability to walk due to severe joint pain, extreme mood swings, and weight gain or loss.

Some information pamphlets state that the majority of women who acquire this illness are of non-European descent. But I have found that this isn't necessarily accurate. I have been a victim of SLE for over 20 years and, during this time, have belonged to over 15 support groups both in Europe and the United States. I have rarely come across a woman of non-European descent with SLE. This disease does not discriminate.

Types.

There are different types of lupus. The word 'lupus' is usually referred to when speaking about SLE. But there are others when investigating this disease.

Drug Induced Lupus erythematosus- this is exactly what it states as being induced by drugs, both illegal and legal. Birth control pills have been known to induce this type of lupus. It can affect both men and women.

Lupus nephritis- inflammation of the kidneys caused by SLE