Minority Women's Health

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Lupus

Minority Women's Health > African Americans > Health Topics > Lupus

Lupus is a health problem in which the body attacks its own tissues and organs. It can cause many other health problems, such as trouble breathing, skin problems, arthritis, kidney problems, and headaches. No one knows for sure what causes lupus. Doctors think that lupus may be genetic.

African American women are three times as likely as white women to get lupus. African American women tend to develop lupus at a younger age and have more severe symptoms than white women.

The signs of lupus differ from person to person. Some people have just a few signs, while others have more. Common symptoms include:

• red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks
• painful or swollen joints
• unexplained fever
• chest pain with deep breathing
• swollen glands
• extreme fatigue (feeling tired all the time)
• unusual hair loss (mainly on the scalp)
• pale or purple fingers or toes (from cold or stress)
• sensitivity to the sun
• low blood count
• depression, trouble thinking, and/or memory problems
• mouth sores
• unexplained seizures (convulsions)
• seeing things (hallucinations)
• repeated miscarriages
• unexplained kidney problems

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor.

There is no cure for lupus, but there are treatments that can help ease your symptoms.

Publications

1.   Could I Have Lupus? — This interactive web site provides information about lupus, including risk factors, symptoms, and treatment. It features diaries from women who have shared their stories on how they have dealt with the disease. You can also express your opinions or ask questions on the community forum.

   www.couldihavelupus.gov

2.   Frequently Asked Questions — Lupus — This publication provides information on lupus, a disease that affects your immune system, causing it to attack healthy cells. It explains who lupus affects, the different types of lupus, its signs, symptoms, causes, and how it is diagnosed and treated. It also provides information on how to cope with the pain and stress of having lupus and whom to contact for more information.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/lupus.htm

3.   Lupus Guide — These patient information sheets are excerpts from Lupus: A Patient Guide for Nurses and Other Health Professionals. The patient information sheets in this chapter cover a range of topics about lupus and lupus medications and can help with this aspect of patient care. It includes a total of 20 patient information sheets.

   http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/lupus/lupusguide/chp7.htm

4. African American Women and Lupus (Copyright © AACHAC) — This is a brief fact sheet for African American women about who gets lupus, common signs, diagnosis, and treatment.

   http://www.aachac.org/healthfactsheets/lupis.html

5. Living with Lupus: Why is This Diagnosis so Elusive? (Copyright © BWH) — This online publication provides information on lupus in African-American Women, signs and symptoms, medical evaluation and diagnosis, and treatment.

   http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/2006/articles.php?id=76

6. Lupus Diagnosis (Copyright © LFA) — Currently, there is no single laboratory test that can determine whether a person has lupus or not. To assist the physician in the diagnosis of lupus, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has issued a list of 11 symptoms or signs that help distinguish lupus from other diseases.

   http://www.lupus.org/education/diagnosis.html

7. Lupus/Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (Copyright © Arthritis Foundation) — This online publication provides information on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other types of lupus. It includes symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and additional resources.

   http://ww2.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/lupus.asp

8. Lupus: Basics for Better Living (Copyright © LFA) — Although there is no "cure" for lupus, you can make lifestyle adjustments that help fight the disease and give you an improved sense of well-being. Many of these don't require spending money. They are things like diet, exercise, reducing your exposure to the sun, and not smoking. Working with your health provider is very important, but you also have the power to help yourself. Learn more about how you can live better with lupus.

   http://www.lupus.org/education/brochures/better03.html

9. Lupus: Pregnancy and Family Planning (Copyright © S.L.E. Lupus Foundation) — Women living with lupus need to plan early if they are thinking of becoming pregnant. Complications can arise during pregnancy. This publication provides questions and answers for women who have lupus and are thinking about becoming pregnant.

   http://www.lupusny.org/showtopics.php?pregnancy#

10. Pregnancy and Lupus (Copyright © LFA) — This fact sheet answers many questions women with lupus who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant may have pregnancy-related lupus issues. Topics include undergoing treatment while being pregnant, health concerns with breastfeeding, and other lupus-related issues with pregnancy.

    http://www.lupus.org/education/brochures/pregnancy.html

11. What You Should Know About Lupus: Easing Joint and Muscle Pain (Copyright © S.L.E. Lupus Foundation) — This brochure discusses muscle, joint pain, and stiffness associated with lupus. It includes information on how to treat the pain and tips to help prevent it. Links to resources that offer more information on current research are also provided.

    http://www.lupusny.org/showtopics.php?easing_pain

Organizations

1.   Lupus Family Registry and Repository, NIAMS, NIH
2.   National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, HHS
3. Alliance for Lupus Research
4. American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
5. Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
6. S.L.E. Lupus Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007