May is Lupus Awareness Month. I hadn’t heard of this disease until I researched it and learned a lot.
Lupus is a chronic, long-term disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system that usually fights infections attacks healthy tissue instead. Lupus most commonly affects the skin, the joints and internal organs like kidneys and heart. The inflammation usually happens when your immune system is fighting an infection or an injury. When lupus makes your immune system attack healthy tissue, it can cause inflammation in lots of different body parts. early signs and symptoms of lupus are generally the same and include extreme fatigue, joint pain, or a butterfly rash. Early signs vary widely from person to person.
There are four types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form. Cutaneous lupus is a form that is limited to the skin. Drug-induced lupus is caused by certain prescription drugs. Finally, neonatal lupus is a rare condition that affects infants of women who have lupus.
No one knows what causes lupus. Anyone can develop lupus but certain people are at higher risk for it, specifically women between the ages of 15-44 and those who are African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander. People who have a family member with lupus or another autoimmune disease are also more likely to have lupus.
About Zoe Hernandez: Zoe lives in Meriden, Connecticut. A Quantum® brand ambassador, Zoe attends Abilities Expos and speaks with people about her disability. She is currently enrolled in college and hopes to work in a community one day with people who are just like her. Click here to learn more about Zoe.