Facts About Lupus

• Lupus causes your immune system to attack healthy tissue and cells. It can cause damage to your skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. 
• There are many types of lupus. The most common type of it is called, systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects many parts of the body. (This is the kind of lupus that I have)
• The other types of lupus are:  discoid lupus erythematosus, sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus.
• Anyone can have lupus. Although it shows up in women more than anyone. 
• Here are some symptoms of Lupus: pain and swelling in the joints, muscle pain, rash on the face, chest pain when taking a deep breath, hair loss, mouth ulcers, feeling of being tired, and swollen glands. 
• Lupus can be diagnosed by medical history, complete exam, blood tests, skin biopsy, kidney biopsy, and genes. Through genes is how I was diagnosed. My Grandmother had it. Her daughter, my mother, has it. Now I have it. 
• Lupus can be treated by your family, or a specialist such as a rheumatologist. Mine is being treated by my  rheumatologist.  

• Your doctor can develop a treatment plan that is just for you. Once you have a treatment plan, you can hit this terrible disease head on!