| What is Lupus? | | | | -hydralazine (which is used to treat high blood |
| Lupus is an auto immune disease which means that | | | | pressure) |
| the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. | | | | -quinidine and procainamide (which are both used for |
| The result of these attacks is chronic inflammation | | | | regulating heart beat) |
| and although the severity of Lupus can vary greatly, | | | | -phentoin (which is used to control epilepsy) |
| it can ultimately be a fatal disease. Lupus is a | | | | -isoniazide (which is used to treat tuberculosis) |
| condition where the immune system creates anti | | | | -penicillamine (which is used to treat arthritis) |
| bodies, which circulate in the blood stream and attack | | | | Because the cause of drug induced lupus is known, |
| various tissues and organs in the body. Some times | | | | these cases can usually be treated successfully by |
| only the tissue of the skin is affected but in other | | | | discontinuing the use of medication. |
| cases the internal organs become targeted. Cases | | | | What are the symptoms of Lupus? |
| where only skin tissue is affected is called discoid | | | | The most recognizable symptom if lupus is the |
| lupus, but the more pervasive and serious form is | | | | "butterfly" rash that occurs predominately in cases of |
| referred to as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE | | | | discoid lupus. The rash is red and often appears on |
| for short. SLE commonly attacks the heart, lungs, | | | | the nose and cheeks. Pictures of this trademark rash |
| kidneys, joints and nervous system. | | | | are available at [ Apart from the possibility of some |
| What causes Lupus? | | | | scarring and possible hair loss, the rash is not very |
| Like all auto immune diseases, little is known about | | | | serious. |
| the causes and triggers of Lupus. Experts tend to | | | | Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a more |
| agree that family history is a contributing factor | | | | complex form of lupus and because many different |
| although this is an accepted characteristic present in | | | | organs can be involved, a variety of symptoms can |
| all auto immune diseases rather than a specific trait | | | | present. Like many auto immune disorders fatigue |
| of lupus. One area of particular interest for | | | | and muscle aches can occur but the propensity for |
| researchers lies in "drug induced lupus" which is | | | | infection and bleeding is a serious danger. Organ |
| explained at [ Some drugs are known to stimulate | | | | damage and organ failure are major causes for |
| the immune system and thus trigger systemic lupus | | | | concern and there is an increased occurrence of |
| erythematosus or SLE. These drugs include: | | | | other auto immune disease such as arthritis. |