What is Lupus?
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, (LFA) lupus affects some 2 million Americans. Ninety percent of lupus patients are women and the disease most often occurs when women are between the ages of 15 to 45. African-Americans, Latinos and Asians are all more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians.
Causes
The LFA website also states that while there are no known causes of lupus, environmental factors are suspected and there is also believed to be a genetic predisposition for the disease. Some suspected causes are infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress and hormones.
Onset
Although doctors say that no two lupus cases are exactly alike, there are many common symptoms that include skin lesions, mouth sores and joint pain. According to the Mayo Clinic website on lupus, the disease may come on suddenly or slowly. Cases of the disease range from "mild to severe" and onset of the disease may be permanent or temporary with what is commonly referred to as "flares."
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