SLE Snapshot

SLE or systemic lupus erythematosus is a complicated autoimmune disease whose effects can range from mild to quite serious to potentially fatal.
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys.
Lupus being labeled an autoimmune illness means that, though antibodies normally defend the body against disease, in this case the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissue, and so the common phrase used is:
'Lupus is the body against itself'.
The body's immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies to protect the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials.
These foreign materials are called antigens.
In an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues.
Lupus is not infectious, nor is it at all rare or cancerous.
Lupus can be a life threatening disease and may affect every organ in the body.
It strikes women far more often than men, and is most common among women of child-bearing age, there being a hormonal influence involved.
More people have lupus than AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis combined.
Current research data shows that between 1 + 1/2 to 2 million people are reported to have been diagnosed with lupus.
Prognosis (generalized): 90% of lupus patients diagnosed live a normal life span with the appropriate treatments and care of their physicians along with their own compliance as self advocates in their medical care, medications and treatments involved with their systemic illnesses.