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Home > Health Information

Lupus (SLE)

What is an Autoimmune Disease?

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, “If a person has an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks self, targeting the cells, tissues, and organs of a person’s own body.” Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multi-system autoimmune disorder that may affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Although there is currently no cure, lupus can be successfully treated in most, though not all, cases. Many more women than men are affected, and African-American women are particularly vulnerable.

Internet Resources

MedlinePlus: Lupus
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lupus.html)
Developed at the National Library of Medicine specifically for health care consumers, this site is a portal for both government-sponsored and privately developed health information targeting the lay public. An interactive tutorial, in either Spanish or English, is also available.

Lupus Foundation of America
(http://www.lupus.org)
This web site provides a variety of information about all aspects of lupus, including diagnosis, treatment, research, and complementary and alternative medicine therapies.

Books

• Lupus: a patient’s guide for diagnosis, treatment, and everyday living. Quintero A. 2007.
• Diagnosis—Lupus: The Intimate Journal of a Lupus Patient. Morris MC. 2005.
• Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Longe JL, ed. 2006. Available in print at the Health Learning Center or electronically at http://www.nmh.org/nmh/hlc/main.htm.
• Living with Lupus. Pigache P. 2005.
• Lupus: The First Year: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. Hanger N. 2003.
• Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your Life. Pratt M. 2002.

Models

The Health Learning Center has models of various body systems that are affected by lupus. Check with a staff person or volunteer for assistance. To gain a better understanding of how the immune system works, visit one of the following sites:

Immune System and Disorders
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/immunesystemanddisorders.html)

Understanding the Immune System from the National Cancer Institute
(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/immunesystem)

Journals

• “Researchers identify new lupus genes.” Health News 14(5): 6-7. 2008
• “Exploring New Territory: The Move Towards Individualised Treatment.” Lupus 16(3):227–231. 2007.
• “Exploring New Territory: Considering the Future. Lupus 16(3):227–231. 2007.
• “Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Exercise.” Lupus 16(1):5–9. 2007.
• “Battling Lupus.” FDA Consumer July–August 2005. 39(4):28–34. Available electronically at http://www.fda.org/fdac/features/2005/405_lupus.html.

Support

Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
E-mail: info@lupus.org
Phone: 800-558-0121 (Para información en español, 1-800-558-0231.).

Contact Us

For more information, please contact the Health Learning Center at 312-926-5465 or HLC@nmh.org.

Review Date: 03/09