Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Lupus (sometimes referred to as Lupus Disease) known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. Antibodies instead of protecting the body against pathogens, attack the body particularly the person’s own tissues.

Lupus can be caused by a variety of things including being triggered at birth, puberty or the menopause, through sunlight, after a prolonged cause of medication, after a virus or as a result of trauma.

Symptoms can vary but can include; extreme Chronic Fatigue, joint and/or muscle pain or ache, anameia, eye problems, facial or other rashes, hair loss, fever and even destruction of vital organs such as kidneys, liver, lungs and brain.

Like many Chronic Diseases, there is currently no recognized cure to this disabilitating illness, there is some medication that people with Lupus can receive that may minimize many of the symptoms, but with all medication side effects can be a problem in itself.

Lupus can affect the lives not only of the person affected but the family and friends of those affected.

For more information on Lupus, a website we found useful is www.uklupus.co.uk.