Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE)

Lupus is a long-term (chronic) disease. It causes inflammation in the body. It mainly affects the joints, skin, and muscles. Lupus can affect almost any part of the body. Other common sites affected by lupus include the kidneys, blood cells, lungs, brain, nerves, intestines, eyes, mouth, and heart. Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that immune cells in the body attack normal body cells. The cause of this is not known.

Common symptoms include:

• A butterfly-shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks, or a disk-shaped rash on the face, neck, or chest.
• Sun sensitivity. (A short time in the sun may lead to severe sunburn or rash.)
• Stiff, painful, or swollen joints (arthritis) and muscle pain.
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue) or depression.
• A fever.
• Chest pain when breathing deeply.
• Mouth sores.
• Anemia.
• Hair loss.

But since lupus can affect many different organs in the body, other symptoms may be seen. These include:

• Swollen glands.
• Belly (abdominal) pain.
• Heart valve damage due to inflammation. This can lead to scarring.
• Inflammation of the lining around the heart muscle, called pericarditis.
• Inflammation of the heart muscle itself, called myocarditis.
• Inflammation of blood vessels, called vasculitis.

Your doctor may prescribe medicines, such as oral steroids, or medicines to suppress the immune system. Some people benefit from other medicines, such as antimalarials. People with lupus are more likely to have heart disease. So it's important to manage other risk factors for heart disease. These include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and unhealthy cholesterol.

There's no cure for lupus. But with correct treatment and management, most people with lupus can lead normal, active lives.

• If you were prescribed a medicine, take it as directed.
• Unless another pain medicine was prescribed, take an over-the-counter pain medicine. These include acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain as advised. Don't take ibuprofen or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) unless your doctor has told you to.
• Stay away from sun exposure. Cover up with clothing. Wear sunglasses. Use sunscreen (at least SPF 15).
• Get enough rest and reduce stress to help your immune system.
• Get some physical activity every day. This will help you feel your best.
• If you have high blood pressure, think about buying an automatic blood pressure machine. This is available at most pharmacies. Use this to keep track of your blood pressure, and report the readings to your doctor.
• Limit alcohol. For some people, it's best to avoid alcohol completely.
• Eat a variety of healthy foods. These include protein foods, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains.
• If you smoke, quit. Smoking increases the risk of lupus-related complications.

Follow up with your doctor, or as advised. For more information contact the Lupus Foundation of America at www.lupus.org or 1-202-349-1155.

Contact your doctor right away if you have:

• Increasing weakness or fainting.
• A severe headache with a fever.
• Swelling, redness or soreness in your leg (sign of blood clot).
• Abnormal bruising or bleeding anywhere on your body.
• Blood in your stool (black or red color). If there is a lot of blood in the stool, call 911.
• Belly (abdominal) pain or repeated vomiting.
• Blood or lots of bubbles in the urine.
• Swelling in the legs and arms.
• Ulcers in your mouth.
• A new rash.
• Rashes, discoloration, or ulcers on the fingertips or toes.
• Plans to become pregnant, or you find out you are pregnant.
• Any other symptoms that concern you.

Call 911 right away if:

• You have chest pain.
• You are short of breath or have pain with breathing.
• You have seizures.