Skip to main content

What is Lupus?

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissue in your body. Normal immune systems don’t attack healthy cells; they attack foreign things that shouldn’t be there.

Lupus can cause damage to several parts of your body, including:

There are several different kinds of lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most prevalent type and impacts multiple body parts. Other forms of lupus include:

What causes lupus?

Researchers have not determined a cause for lupus. So far, research might show that genetics are a key factor, but they are not the only factor. Scientists believe that lupus is caused by many variables.

What are the symptoms of lupus?

Symptoms of lupus vary from patient to patient. Every lupus case is different. Common symptoms of lupus include:

Other symptoms that are less frequent are:

Symptoms could come and go at any given time. When a person is showing symptoms, they are called flares. The flares can range in intensity. Some are mild, while others are very serious.

How do doctors diagnose lupus?

There is no one test for lupus. It can take months – sometimes years – for a doctor to make that diagnosis. There are several things doctors use to try to diagnose lupus. These include:

How is lupus treated?

Sometimes, you need a specialty physician to treat the multitude of symptoms you can exhibit if you suffer from lupus. Often, you’ll need more than one doctor working to come up with a plan. These doctors could include:

Because each case of lupus is different, your team of doctors will develop a plan that’s specific to your symptoms and limits. This plan should be revisited often, as the symptoms for lupus patients evolve over time.

If you or someone you know is showing signs of lupus, contact Louisiana Pain Specialists today for help.

You Might Also Enjoy...