What Is Lupus?
Lupus is a disease where your immune system targets and attacks healthy parts of your body. Your immune system normally fights off viruses and bacteria, but with lupus, it can’t tell the difference between harmful invaders and your own tissues.
Causes of Lupus
Lupus doesn’t have one single cause. Instead, it’s likely triggered by genetic and environmental factors. If someone in your family has lupus, you’re more likely to develop it. Certain things, like infections, strong sunlight, or stress, might trigger the disease in people already at risk. Hormones also play a role, especially estrogen, which is why lupus affects more women than men.
Common Lupus Symptoms
Lupus symptoms can show up in many parts of your body. They may come and go, and some can be hard to link directly to the disease at first. Knowing the most common signs can help you recognize when something isn’t right:
- Extreme fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep
- Sore or swollen joints, especially in your hands and knees
- Butterfly-shaped rash across your cheeks and nose
- Low-grade fevers that come and go without any clear reason
- Thinning or patchy hair loss
- Painful inflammation in the lining around your lungs
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and might change over time. Keeping track of how often they happen and how strong they are can help your doctor understand your condition better.