Lupus represents an auto-immune rheumatic disease when the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.

The severity of the condition defines the appearance of symptoms which are in general the following: malaise, fatigue, easy bruising, facial rash, photosensitivity, high body temperature, muscle pain, joint pain, skin lesions, mouth sores, hair loss, weight gain and weight loss. Such signs as fever, depression, tendency to blood clotting, miscarriages, anemia can also be present.

It was noted that women are more susceptible to the illness than men, especially those between 15 and 44 years of age. Hormone estrogen is blamed for the appearance of the condition in the majority of such cases.

As it has already been mentioned lupus refers to autoimmune illnesses therefore its reasons are unknown. There are theories but most of them combine the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Family history of lupus can increase the risk of illness appearance, although no certain gene or genes responsible for the condition were discovered.

It is known that the purpose of the immune system is to heal. It generates antidotes in the situation of any threat and upcoming harm. However, in some cases the immune system, which is intended to fight viruses, bacteria or microorganisms, starts to behave abnormally and creates autoantibodies that kill normal body cells. This results in the inflammation and damage of organs (blood cells, the skin, joints, lungs, heart and kidneys).

There are four different types of lupus according to the ways they influence the body. They are drug-induced lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), discoid lupus and neonatal lupus.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most frequent among all and is characterized by the spread onto all the organs (especially skin, joints, lungs, kidneys and blood).
• Discoid lupus refers to dermatic type and affects the skin greatly. It is characterized by skin rashes in the areas of the face, neck and scalp.
• Drug-induced lupus has a different story. It appears in the result of some medications administration. Such a condition is able to affect any bodily part but unlike other lupus types drug-induced one is a reversible condition if treated rightly. It improves after several weeks.
• Neonatal lupus happens in new-born babies. It is not dangerous and is able to be cured within six months if a proper therapy is prescribed.

It is very important to know for sure what kind of lupus do you have otherwise the treatment can be a waste. Different types of lupus require different treatment and only doctor can decide whether pain killers, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, or corticosteroids, or else should be given. When the correct diagnosis is stated the therapy is able to bring a patient back to normal life.