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FAQs About Lupus
Lupus affects 1.5 million Americans, and 9 out of 10 of them are women. Learn the signs of this tricky autoimmune condition.
Feb 14, 2024
Mar 04, 2024
Conditions & TreatmentsRisa Kerslake is a registered nurse and freelance writer who lives in the Midwest, specializing in health, parenting and education topics. Her work has appeared in Women's World, Healthline, Parents, Discover, Sleep Foundation and Giddy, among others.
She's a professional member of both the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Association of Health Care Journalists. In addition to writing and helping people advocate for their own health, she's enthusiastic about crocheting and reading under the covers. You can find her at risakerslake.com.
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Lupus affects 1.5 million Americans, and 9 out of 10 of them are women. Learn the signs of this tricky autoimmune condition.
Anyone who’s a fan of the hit TV series “House,” starring Hugh Laurie, knows lupus inevitably came up as a possible diagnosis for the mystery condition of the episode (and they were always wrong, except for that one time).
The show is right about one thing — lupus has a wide variety of symptoms, shows up differently in people and stumps doctors. The condition also tends to mimic many different health conditions, including celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Lupus affects 1.5 million people in the United States — and 9 in 10 of them are women. Here’s what you need to know about this autoimmune condition.
Lupus has different forms, but the most common is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — about 7 out of 10 people with lupus have SLE. Lupus is an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system attacks itself. It affects various body parts, including the skin, joints, kidneys and brain and is challenging to diagnose because of its wide range of symptoms.
When the body attacks its healthy tissue, it can cause inflammation and sometimes permanent damage to the tissues all over the body.
Lupus affects women more than men and particularly affects women ages 15 to 44. People of color, including those who are Black or of African American descent, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American, have an increased chance of having lupus.
Lupus can be hereditary. While many people with lupus don’t have other family members with the condition, lupus can be passed down. According to the Lupus Foundation, 1 in 5 people with lupus have a family history of the condition.
Common lupus symptoms in women can include:
Early signs of lupus in females can include any of the above, depending on which organs lupus affects. One woman could experience a completely different set of symptoms than another. In general, you might first notice:
Lupus flares are periods when symptoms get worse. Sometimes, flares can be mild, but some people might have more serious ones that need medical attention. You might recognize a flare is coming because you’ll have certain symptoms such as feeling more tired or having pain. You may also get a rash or feel dizzy or nauseous.
If you can recognize when a flare might be coming and take steps to get treatment as soon as possible, you may be able to prevent it or at least reduce how serious it is. Some common things that can trigger, or bring on, a lupus flare are:
Lupus can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms can often look like other health conditions. It takes an average of six years from the time symptoms start to receiving a diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider (HCP) will ask you about your family and medical history, including what symptoms you’re having and if anyone in your family has an autoimmune condition. They will perform a physical exam, particularly looking for skin rashes and other signs of lupus.
You might have testing done that can help your HCP find a diagnosis. This might include:
If you’ve been diagnosed with lupus, your HCP might refer you to a rheumatologist, or a doctor that specializes in autoimmune conditions.
Lupus treatments usually include medications. Some lupus medications are over-the-counter (OTC) and some are prescribed by your HCP. These might include:
Other ways to manage lupus can include:
Keep your HCP informed of any changes to your symptoms and track any flares and triggers you notice. Remember, lupus can be hard to diagnose, but with the right treatment, you can manage your symptoms and learn to live with your condition.
This educational resource was created with support from Novartis, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.