About Lupus
If you have lupus, your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake
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Survivors Say: Best Resources for Lupus
- MedlinePlus: Lupus
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMSD): Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Lupus Foundation of America
- Mayoclinic.com: Lupus
The Big Picture of Lupus
If you have lupus, your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. This can damage your joints, skin, blood vessels and organs. Occurring more frequently in women than men, there are four types of lupus: Systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common and serious, as well as discoid lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus erythematosus and neonatal lupus. Affecting between 1 1/2 and 2 million Americans, lupus is an autoimmune disease.
Your Lupus
Like other autoimmune disorders, getting a definitive diagnosis of lupus may not be easy:
What type of lupus do you have? Find out more about each kind here:
You want to be sure you have the right diagnosis, so a second (or third) medical opinion may well be a good idea:
Lupus Myths
- "Only women get lupus."
- "Lupus is contagious."
- "Lupus is hereditary."
- University of Pittsburgh: The Lupus Center of Excellence - Myth or Fact
- Lupus Foundation of America: Lupus Now Magazine - Sun Safety Myths
Information and Recommended Links for Survivors
Books Survivors Recommend
- The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients and Their Families by Daniel J. Wallace
- Lupus Underground: A Patient's Case for a Long-Ignored, Drug-Free, Non-Patentable, Counter-Intuitive Therapy That Actually Works - UVA1 Phototherapy by Anthony DiBartolo
- New Hope for People with Lupus: Your Friendly, Authoritative Guide to the Latest in Traditional and Complementary Solutions by Teresa Foy Degeronimo and Sara J. Henry
