Lupus Causes & Risks

Causes

The cause of lupus is unknown. Researchers believe it may be a combination of:

Genetic factors
Environmental factors, which may include:
- Sunlight (UV rays)
- Stress
Viral or other type of infection
Drug-induced ( methyldopa , procainamide , hydralazine , isoniazid , chlorpromazine , TNF-blocking drugs)

Risk Factors

These risk factors increase your chance of developing lupus. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

Sex: female to male ratio: 10:1
Age: childbearing age (20-45 years)
Race: African American, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

1 comments

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that most commonly affects women under the age of 50. The skin, joints, kidneys, and brain are the primary sites affected.

View Comments Anonymous commented 17 weeks ago.

Lupus and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
By Linda Fugate PhD HERWriter on January 25, 2012 - 7:32am
0 comments

Empowered

There are actually four types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus erythematosus and neonatal lupus. Lupus can affect so many different ...

Lupus: Diagnosis, Symptoms and Risks
By EmpowHER on November 13, 2011 - 4:45pm
0 comments

Empowered

EmpowHER has many members living with lupus.

Pregnancy and Lupus: Risky but Possible
By Susan Cody HERWriter Guide on November 7, 2011 - 5:59pm
0 comments

Gastrointestinal problems are common in lupus patients. Most of them are due to infection or adverse reaction to medication, but some serious conditions result from the autoimmune process.

Lupus Gastrointestinal Illness
Impacted 3 Lives By Linda Fugate PhD HERWriter on December 30, 2010 - 7:30am
1 comments

Nephritis, or inflammation of the kidneys, is one of the most common and most serious issues for patients with systematic lupus erythematosus.

View Comments Anonymous commented 1 year ago.

Lupus Nephritis: News from the Medical Literature
By Linda Fugate PhD HERWriter on September 14, 2010 - 5:37am
0 comments

What is Lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body produces antibodies, normally used to fend off infections and diseases, that actually work against the body's own healt

How Lupus Affects the Lungs
Impacted 1 Lives By Darlene Oakley HERWriter on June 28, 2010 - 1:05pm
1 comments

One third of lupus patients have eye symptoms, but these are not as widely publicized as the effects on the skin, nervous system, and kidneys. Medications used to treat lupus can have ...

View Comments Anonymous commented 2 years ago.

How Lupus Affects the Eyes
By Linda Fugate PhD HERWriter on April 8, 2010 - 5:30am
0 comments

Corticosteroids are a primary treatment option for a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. A popular book on lupus provides details on their risks and benefits.

Corticosteroids for Lupus: Balancing Risks, Benefits
By Linda Fugate PhD HERWriter on April 6, 2010 - 6:05am
16 comments

My best friend has systemic lupus, it recently has been affecting her kidneys. Her doctor told her it is in stage four, is chemo really the best way to treat this?

View Comments Susan Cody commented 3 weeks ago.

What is an effective treatment for systemic lupus?
By khambli1 on July 27, 2009 - 11:26am
0 comments

Please visit me at www.BeatLupus.com, and my musician site: www.ReganMizuno.com.

Michael Jackson and Lupus Part II
By Regan on July 8, 2009 - 6:54pm