What Do I Need to Know About Lupus? If you have been diagnosed
with lupus, you will want to know as much as you can about the
disease. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage
any part of the body (skin, joints and/or organs inside the
body). Normally our immune system produces proteins called
antibodies that protect the body from foreign substances, like
bacteria and viruses. With lupus, your immune system cannot tell
the difference between these foreign invaders and your body's
healthy tissues and creates autoantibodies ("auto" means "self")
to attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause
inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.
Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you
feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel
better). Lupus can be mild or serious but should always be
treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with
lupus can lead a full life. What Causes Lupus? No one knows what
causes lupus. However, sc