Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack its body parts. This causes several problems like inflammation as well as damage to the important body tissues and parts like kidney, lungs, brain and heart. There are several different types of lupus and systemic lupus is one of the types. While currently there is no permanent cure for this condition, with drugs the symptoms can be effectively managed. Through awareness of this condition, flare ups in the condition can be avoided.

Systemic lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease that affects several different organs in the body. This lupus tends to cause symptoms like facial skin rashes. The rash has the shape of a butterfly and is commonly seen on the cheeks. In some cases, the rash also tends to get worse on exposure to the sun. These rashes may also be accompanied with swelling and joint pain. The arthritis in this condition tends to start in the small joints of hands as well as feet. Other symptoms commonly observed in this condition include hair loss, fever, anemia, fatigue and mouth ulcers. The other symptoms related with this condition include general discomfort, hair loss, sensitivity to sunlight and chest pain while taking deep breath.

Systemic lupus tends to affect more number of women compared to men. While it may occur in any age group it most often tends to affect women in the age of 10 to 50 years. Also the disease is more likely to affect African American or Asian women the most. With systemic lupus, as with other kinds of lupus the symptoms tend to vary in intensity and may come and go. In some rare cases, the symptoms experienced may be considerably severe and include headaches, vision problems, seizures, numbness etc. In some cases patients may also experience abnormal heart rhythm, problems in breathing and they may cough up blood. Intense digestive tract problems may also be experienced which include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Systemic lupus tends to affect around one in 1000 white individuals and one in 250 black women. While it is not known what causes this condition, genetic and environmental factors play an important role in development of this condition. With systemic lupus, a basic abnormality that occurs is apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death. In case of this condition, there is development of abnormal antibodies by the B cells and the specific autoantibodies like anti-Smith and anti-double stranded DNA are particularly observed for this type of lupus. Current research is concentrated on finding out if the B cells are basically abnormal in patients of this condition.

The diagnosis of the condition can be done based on the symptoms observed along with a battery of tests that may reveal the abnormalities. These tests include routine blood tests, urine tests, antinuclear antibody test and tissue biopsies. The treatment for this condition includes prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antimalarial drugs, immunosuppresants and corticosteroids etc. it is also important for patients to take plenty of rest and follow a healthy and balanced diet.