Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory disease in which the body's immune system fails to serve its normal protective functions and instead forms antibodies that attack healthy tissues and organs. You can think of it as your body being allergic to itself.

The cause of lupus is unknown. While scientists believe there is a genetic predisposition to the disease, it is known that certain factors also play a critical role in triggering lupus. In a patient who is predisposed, the following factors may play a role in setting off the disease:

Between 1.4 and 2 million people have been told by a doctor they have lupus, making it more common than AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis combined.

Lupus can occur at any age and in either sex, although it appears at least 10 times more frequently among adult females than among adult males. The symptoms of the disease are the same in men and women. People of Hispanic, African, Native American and Asian origin are thought to develop lupus more frequently than Caucasians.

There are three types of lupus: cutaneous, systemic and drug-induced lupus.

Cutaneous lupus is limited to the skin and is identified by a rash that may appear on the face, neck or scalp. Sometimes lupus first appears only in the skin but goes on to become systemic (throughout the body).

Systemic lupus is usually more severe than cutaneous lupus and can affect almost any organ or system of the body. The skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, brain, blood or other organs and tissues may be affected. Generally, no two people with lupus will have identical symptoms. Lupus may include periods in which few, if any, symptoms are evident (remission) and other times in which the disease becomes active (flare). is usually more severe than cutaneous lupus and can affect almost any organ or system of the body. The skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, brain, blood or other organs and tissues may be affected. Generally, no two people with lupus will have identical symptoms. Lupus may include periods in which few, if any, symptoms are evident (remission) and other times in which the disease becomes active (flare).

Lupus is a difficult disease to diagnose. There is no single set of symptoms that are uniformly specific to lupus. Also, there are no laboratory tests yet available that can prove conclusively that a person has lupus. Almost every symptom of lupus can also be easily attributed to other illnesses or disorders. In addition, the symptoms are sometimes vague or they may come and go unpredictably.

The diagnosis of lupus is usually made after a careful review of the patient's medical history, coupled with analysis of blood study results from both routine laboratory testing and some specialized tests related to immune system status. Often it can take years for the diagnosis to be made. The internist and/or family physician will often refer patients to a rheumatologist for diagnostic confirmation and treatment.

While there is no cure for lupus, early diagnosis and proper medical treatment can significantly help control the disease. Effective treatment can minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation and maintain normal bodily functions. Treatment is centered on medications, rest, exercise, avoidance of excessive sun exposure, reduction of stress and prevention of infection.