Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. The immune system normally protects the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune disease like lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against "self."

Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous.

The Lupus Foundation of America market research data show that between 1.4 million and 2 million people have been diagnosed with lupus. (Study conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research, 1994.)

Although the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists suspect that individuals are genetically predisposed to lupus, and know that environmental factors such as infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress and certain drugs play a critical role in triggering lupus.

Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans. Although lupus can occur at any age, and in either sex, 90% of people with lupus are women and during the child bearing years lupus strikes women 10-15 times more frequently than men. Lupus is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asians.

Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may develop lupus. Only about 5% of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms come and go and mimic many other illnesses. Some symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appetite loss, sores in the nose or mouth or painful sensitivity of the fingers to the cold.

Sunlight, infection, injury, surgery, stress or exhaustion can trigger "flare-ups" of lupus (a more active state of the disease).

Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening and thousands of Americans die with lupus each year, the majority of cases can be controlled with proper treatment.

Increased professional awareness and improved diagnostic techniques and evaluation methods are contributing to the early diagnosis and treatment of lupus. With current methods of therapy, 80-90% of people with lupus can look forward to a normal lifespan.

While medical science has not yet developed a method of curing lupus, new research brings unexpected findings and increased hope each year.

The Lupus Foundation of America has nearly 100 local chapters directly providing patient services, education, awareness and research in their local areas.

The disease comes in three forms: discoid lupus, which is limited to the skin and often identified by a rash on the face, neck or scalp; systemic lupus, which can affect almost any organ or system of the body; and drug-induced lupus, which presents itself after the use of certain prescribed drugs.

MAY is LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH

Source: Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Lupus Now®, Spring 2008

The observance of Lupus Awareness Month has been changed from October to May in 2008 and thereafter. The change enables the LFA and its nationwide network of chapters and support groups to incorporate the international observance of World Lupus Day, held annually on May 10, into Lupus Awareness Month activities. In addition, other health observances during May that relate to lupus will enhance the awareness efforts for the disease.

For many years, October was the month in which LFA traditionally held many of its educational and fundraising activities. Holding the annual observance in May will allow LFA to schedule events when the weather throughout the United States is more favorable to outdoor activities.

The annual observance of Lupus Awareness Month began in 1977 when President Carter signed the first lupus awareness legislation. For the past 40 years, the annual observance has increased awareness and understanding of lupus symptoms and the many health consequences of the disease.

The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. is the lupus community's advocate on Capitol Hill. Please refer to the LFA Government Advocacy site to be informed on the current issues being addressed in Congress.

Please write to your two United States Senators and to your U.S. Representative and urge them to support the issues.

We need your help! Please ask your friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers, to email their Representative today and encourage him or her to cosponsor this important legislation. People with lupus need your voice and support. Your Members of Congress must hear from you about the importance of cosponsoring the Lupus REACH Amendments.

Genetics of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Family Study

Lupus Clinical Trials

Lupus Fact Sheets in Other Languages

Lupus News and Research

Lupus Publications (including Talking Books for Blind and Visually Handicapped under "Other")

Lupus Sites in Spanish

Lupus patients needed for research studies

Lupus-Related Internet Sites

Medical Internet Sites

National Library of Medicine Interactive Tutorial on Lupus

Novel and Experiemental Therapies for Lupus

Study Seeks Lupus Patients of Asian Descent (attention families of Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Filipino, East Indian and Vietnamese descent)

Helpful Information for the Lupus Patient

Helpful Information for Lupus Caregivers

About Cyndee Miller - Living with lupus over 40 years

Impact of Cyndee's Lupus On Her Family

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