Saturday, May 3, 2008

May is Lupus Awareness Month



What is Lupus
  • Lupus is a widespread and chronic autoimmune disease that, for unknown reasons, causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissue and organs, including the joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood, or skin.

    STATISTICS AND DEMOGRAPHICS
  • The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that approximately 1,400,000 Americans, mostly women, have a form of the disease.

  • Lupus occurs 10 to 15 times more frequently among adult females than adult males.

  • Lupus develops most often in women between ages 15 and 44, but can affect people of all ages.

  • Lupus is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.

    Causes of Lupus

  • Lupus is NOT infectious, rare, or cancerous.

  • While scientists believe there is a genetic predisposition to the disease, it is known that environmental factors also play a role in triggering lupus.

  • Some of the factors that may trigger lupus include infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress, certain drugs, and hormones.

  • Hormonal factors may explain why lupus occurs more frequently in females than in males.

  • There is no cure for lupus but there are treatments.

  • For additional information about lupus or the LFA, call toll-free 1-888-38-LUPUS, or visit the LFA web site at http://www.lupus.org/.

    Source: Lupus Foundation of America

Lupus Awareness Month
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.

2000 L Street NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20036
(888) 385-8787
(202) 349-1156 Fax
info@lupus.org
www.lupus.org
Materials available
Contact: Duane Peters

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