Lupus (also called systemic lupus erythematosus) is a disorder of the immune system. Normally, the immune system protects the body against invading infections and cancers. In lupus, the immune system is over-active and produces increased amounts of abnormal antibodies that attack the body's tissues and organs. Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and blood vessels. The signs and symptoms of lupus differ from person to person; the disease can range from mild to life threatening.
Initial symptoms of lupus may begin with a fever, vascular headaches, epilepsy, or psychoses. A striking feature of lupus is a butterfly shaped rash over the cheeks. In addition to headache, lupus can cause other neurological disorders, such as mild cognitive dysfunction, organic brain syndrome, peripheral neuropathies, sensory neuropathy, psychological problems (including personality changes, paranoia, mania, and schizophrenia), seizures, transverse myelitis, and paralysis and stroke.
Lupus Alliance of America 3871 Harlem Road Buffalo, NY 14215 info@lupusalliance.org http://www.lupusalliance.org Tel: 866-415-8787 |
Lupus Foundation of America 2000 L Street, N.W. Suite 710 Washington, DC 20036 info@lupus.org http://www.lupus.org Tel: 202-349-1155 800-558-0121 Fax: 202-349-1156 |
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association 22100 Gratiot Avenue Eastpointe, MI 48021-2227 aarda@aarda.org http://www.aarda.org Tel: 586-776-3900 800-598-4668 Fax: 586-776-3903 |
National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 31 Center Dr., Rm. 4C02 MSC 2350 Bethesda, MD 20892-2350 NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov http://www.niams.nih.gov Tel: 301-496-8190 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267) |
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
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Last updated February 13, 2007