What Is Lupus?
Lupus is an auto-immune disease that can result in inflammation in any part of the boy. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, over 1.5 million people in the United States and at least 5 million people in the world develop some type of lupus. The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affects about 70% of people with lupus. SLE is so common that when people use the word “lupus,” they are referring to it.
Aside from SLE, there are also other types of lupus that may cause inflammation in different parts of the body. Let’s take a look at some of them:
- Cutaneous lupus: This type usually affects the skin, but it may develop into SLE.
- Drug-induced lupus: This type of lupus may occur due to certain drugs. It may disappear 6 months after you stop taking the drug.
- Neonatal lupus: This type of lupus affects only infants. Its symptoms usually disappear after 6 months.
Autoimmune disease is a class of disease that occurs when your immune system attacks its own tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease where various branches of the immune system participate in the attack, so various parts of the body develop severe inflammation. People with lupus may develop flare ups when the disease is active.