Systemic Lupus Erythmatosus, or as it's commonly referred to, lupus, is an autoimmune disease that affects as many as 2 to 4 million people. This is more people than are affected by multiple sclerosis, Lou Gerig's Disease, and cerebral palsy combined. In autoimmune diseases, the body's defense against infection, the immune system, malfunctions. Any organ or system is vulnerable to these renegade antigens, but most frequently attacked are the joints, skin, kidneys and lungs.
Death can occur from severe kidney, lung or brain involvement.
There is no test to detect if a patient has lupus, so doctors are forced to rely on symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, ask your doctor about the possibility of lupus. Ask for the tests that might indicate an autoimmune disease. Ask for a referral to a rheumatologist, who specializes in lupus and other rheumatoid diseases. Lupus is frequently misdiagnosed because of ignorance.