I was just recently told that in the next few weeks I would be going tot he doctors to see if they can discover if I have the disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or also known as Lupus. Lupus is a condition of chronic inflammation caused by an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses which occur when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system.The immune system is a complex syste within the body that is designed to detect infectious agents, for example, bacteria, and other forign invaders. One of the mechanisms that the immune system uses to fight infections is the production of antibodies. Patients with lupus produce abnormal antibodies in their blood that target tissues within their own body rather than foreign infectious agents. Lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus. When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both discoid and systemic lupus are more common in women than men (about eight times more common). The disease can affect all ages but most commonly begins from age 20 to 45 years. It is more frequent in African-Americans and people of Chinese and Japanese descent.The precise reason for the abnormal autoimmunity that causes lupus is not known. Inherited genes, viruses, ultraviolet light, and drugs may all play some role. Genetic factors increase the tendency of developing autoimmune diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis , and immune thyroid disorders are more common among relatives of patients with lupus than the general population. This is just a summary of what Lupus is. Nobody know what it is for sure, and there isn't a cure for it. I must receive regular health care, not only when the symptoms worsen. I might experience fatigue, pain, a rash, fever, abdominal discomfort, headache, or dissiness before a flare. (Not sure what a flare is. Mom said it is like an episode when all this starts.) I must, In order to sustain healthy, sustain from being out in UV light. It upsets the lupus and might cause a flare. I must learn to deal with stress, get exercise, dont smoke, limit alcohol, eat healty and balanced diet, and take care of vaccines. Thought you oughta know