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May is Lupus Awareness Month
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body ' s immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal , healthy tissue . This results in symptoms such as inflammation , swelling , and damage to joints , skin , kidneys , blood , the heart , and lungs . It is an autoimmune disease . This means that the body ' s natural defense system ( immune system ) attacks healthy tissues instead of attacking only things like bacteria and viruses . This causes inflammation . Although some people with lupus have only mild symptoms , the disease is lifelong and can become severe .
May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month . It ' s estimated that 6 million people in this country are affected by a condition called Fibromyalgia and suffer from chronic widespread pain throughout their bodies . It may also be accompanied by fatigue , insomnia , anxiety and depression .
How many people have fibromyalgia ?
Approximately one in 50 Americans are estimated to have fibromyalgia , or between 3 and 6 million people in the U . S . ( American College of Rheumatology , 2004 )
Fibromyalgia is the 2nd most common ailment affecting the musculoskeletal system after osteoarthritis ( American College of Rheumatology , 2004 )
Who gets fibromyalgia ?
Fibromyalgia primarily affects women of childbearing age , but children and men may also be affected ( National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases , 1999 )
Between 80 and 90 % of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women ; women who have a family member with fibromyalgia are more likely to develop fibromyalgia themselves ( American College of Rheu- matology , 2004 )