Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body. It can affect multiple organs or organ systems in the body, either acutely or chronically. The most common symptoms of SLE include fatigue, fever, joint pain, stiffness and swelling, butterfly-shaped rash on the face, skin lesions, fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods, and shortness of breath. The signs and symptoms of SLE vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe.
SLE can be treated with medications such as high-dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medicines that suppress the immune system. These medicines are used if the patient has severe lupus that is affecting the nervous system, kidney, or other organs. In addition to medication, lifestyle changes such as getting enough rest, avoiding sun exposure, and eating a healthy diet can help manage the symptoms of SLE.
Anyone can get SLE, but women get the disease about nine times more often than men. Most often it happens in people between ages 15 and 45 years, but lupus can occur in childhood or later in life as well. The cause of SLE is unknown, but it is a complex autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the person’s tissues and organs.
