HEALTH & WELLNESS
Lupus and Women
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL
L
upus is a chronic, autoimmune disease •
that affects more women than men. If
you have lupus, your risk is higher for •
other health problems that are com-
mon in women, such as heart disease and
•
osteoporosis.
WHAT IS LUPUS?
Lupus is a chronic (lifelong) autoim-
mune disease that can damage any part of
the body. With autoimmune diseases, the
body’s immune (defense) system cannot tell
the difference between viruses, bacteria,
and other germs and the body’s healthy
cells, tissues, or organs. Because of this, the
immune system attacks and destroys these
healthy cells, tissues, or organs.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT T YPES OF
LUPUS?
There are several different types of
lupus:
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
is the most common and most serious
type of lupus. SLE affects all parts of
the body.
28 HimPower May/June 2019
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which
affects only the skin
Drug-induced lupus, a short-term type
of lupus caused by certain medicines
Neonatal lupus, a rare type of lupus
that affect newborn babies
WHAT IS SYSTEMIC LUPUS
ERY THEMATOSUS (SLE)?
SLE is the most common type of
lupus. SLE can be mild or severe and can
affect different parts of the body. Common
symptoms include fatigue, hair loss, sun
sensitivity, painful and swollen joints, unex-
plained fever, skin rashes, and kidney prob-
lems.
There is no one test for SLE. Usually
your doctor will ask you about your family
and personal medical history and your
symptoms. Your doctor will also do some
laboratory tests.
WHAT IS CUTANEOUS LUPUS
ERY THEMATOSUS (CLE)?
This type of lupus is a skin disease
that can affect people with or without SLE.