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.   Fact Sheet — Lupus — This publication provides information on lupus, a disease that affects your immune system. It explains who is at risk for lupus, the different types of lupus, its signs and symptoms, 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.cfm

2.   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.

   http://www.couldihavelupus.gov/

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 © African American Community Health Advisory Committee) — This is a brief fact sheet for African-American women about lupus, including information about common symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

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

5. Diagnosing Lupus (Copyright © Lupus Foundation of America) — Because many symptoms of lupus are similar to those of other illnesses, lupus can be a difficult disease to diagnose. This fact sheet explains which signs and symptoms to watch out for and how to talk to your doctor about lupus.

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

6. Easing Joint and Muscle Pain (Copyright © S.L.E. Lupus Foundation) — This brochure discusses muscle pain, 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

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 © Lupus Foundation of America) — Although lupus has no cure, you can make lifestyle changes that help fight the disease and give you an improved sense of well-being. These changes are things like eating right, keeping physically active, reducing your exposure to the sun, and not smoking. Working with your doctor 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 © Lupus Foundation of America) — This fact sheet answers many questions for women with lupus who are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant. Topics include undergoing treatment while pregnant, health concerns with breastfeeding, and other lupus-related issues with pregnancy.

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

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

Resources reviewed March 2008.