Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a long-lasting autoimmune disease that can affect almost any part of the body. Under normal circumstances the body is protected by the immune system. As soon as the immune system identifies harmful foreign substances, the body's usual defense would be to abolish the antigens. In lupus patients, the immune system lacks the ability to differentiate normal antibodies from intruders. Lupus occurs when the body overreacts to a foreign stimulus and creates too many antibodies against its own body tissue. Hence, Lupus is called an autoimmune disease. SLE causes inflammation in joints, organs and tissues. Inflammation is characterized by pain, heat, swelling and redness. There are many signs and symptoms of SLE. Symptoms of lupus tend to vary from person to person and range from mild to severe, usually affecting people between the ages of 15 and 50. The most commonly reported indicators are joint discomfort, skin rashes, stiffness and fever. Lupus patients may experience symptoms that suddenly worsen or appear unexpectedly. Most SLE patients experience hot flashes, signs that appear quickly, get worse, and then fade over a long period of time. However, the most frequent complaints include lethargy, painful or inflamed joints, fever, epidemics and kidney problems. Butterfly rash, a red rash, is an obvious sign of lupus and can appear on the face and spread to the cheeks and nose. UV protection is very important because many suffer from photosensitivity. Other symptoms include brittle hair, mouth ulcers, chest pain, anemia, dry eyes, bruising, menstrual irregularities and paleness. Patients in...... middle of paper ......studies, the etiology of lupus is probably related to hereditary factors, environmental (natural) factors, drug-induced lupus and is related to women of childbearing age and menstruation. References Gordon, Caroline and WolfgangL. Gross. Systemic lupus erythematosus.Oxford: Clinical Pub., 2012. Print.Urowitz, Murray B. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2005. Print.Crosbie, D. (2009). Dehydroepinadrosterone for systemic lupus erythematosus. Systemic.Acton Cochran Database, Ashton. Systemic lupus erythematosus: new insights for healthcare professionals. 2013.Atlanta. Academic Editions, 2013. Print.Seward, Tomas I. Advances in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research. New York: Nova Biomedical, 2007. Print.Schur, Peter H. The clinical management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven,1996. Press.