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What is Lupus?Systemic Lupus is a presently incurable illness of the immune system, or type of self-allergy, whereby the patient’s immune system creates excess antibodies, which instead of protecting the body from bacteria viruses and other foreign matter, attack the person’s own body tissue. This causes inflammation and damage in the joints, muscles and other organs. It might eventually lead to the destruction of vital organs. Discoid Lupus in many ways is different from classical lupus. However it can pose major problems as far as the skin is concerned and often creates far greater damage to the skin than the rashes of SLE. Approximately 5% of patients with discoid lupus at some stage develop SLE. Lupus attacks mainly women during their childbearing years (ages 10 to 55) but men and even young children can be affected. It is estimated that 1 in 750 women suffer from Lupus in UK. Some 50,000 may have lupus in the UK and 90% of sufferers are female. Lupus is a worldwide disease more common in some races than others. Afro-Caribbeans, Asians and other far Eastern races are more prone to having Lupus. In Mauritius, some 3000 patients are presently known to be suffering from this illness, but many others are yet to be diagnosed. Although few people have heard of Lupus, worldwide it is acknowledge as being more common than leukaemia, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis, which due to extensive publicity, have become household names. Lupus is neither infectious nor contagious. The disease may be triggered by various means and can present in a bewildering number of ways, even to the extent of mimicking other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. The cause of Lupus if not positively known though research had provided evidence implicating heredity, hormones and infections, including viruses. With its many systems, lupus can often be overlooked by a General Practitioner or consultant which may delay final diagnosis and a vital start to necessary treatment, which can contain the disease and limit potential damage to the kidneys, heart, lungs or brain. What are the triggers?The cause of Lupus is not known though it has been found through research that heredity, hormones and infections, including viruses, may be involved. This disease remains dormant in the body until some trigger from outside the body sets the process in motion. Lupus can be triggered
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