Lupus*

Imagine learning one day that your healthy body has started turning on itself. Soon after the discovery, you start to notice lesions or breakouts on your body that seem to have no explanation. Your joints swell, you're feverish, and in severe pain and discomfort. Your hair starts to fall out for no apparent reason. Even more frightening, you learn the pattern of the attacks on your body can vary, and can be directed at tissues in the joints, kidney, heart, and brain. This is the reality of lupus, and millions of people are affected everyday by this disease.

The Lupus Foundation of American states that lupus may occur in one of three forms: systemic, discoid, or drug-induced. Many people with systemic lupus have hair and skin problems, and several experience hair loss either in patches or all over the head. For some, lupus affects only a particular part of the body, including skin or joints, and symptoms may come and go over time. Others experience attacks in several parts of the body, and symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, and even depression or seizures.

Lupus is considered an auto-immune disorder, in which the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances (antigens) and its own cells and tissues. It's estimated that 500,000 to 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with lupus, and more than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year. +There are many resources available to the public for learning more about lupus, and getting help with managing the disease.

Please visit our Hairweaving/Replacement for Hair Loss area to view examples of women with Lupus.

For more information and the latest in research and support groups available, contact:

The Lupus Foundation of America
1300 Piccard Drive
Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20850-4303
301-670-9292
www.lupus.org

Lupus Awareness and Community Education (LACE)
The LACE program addresses the awareness of lupus in African-Americans - it's estimated that African American's are three times more likely than the general population to develop lupus.
888-38-LUPUS
617-732-5348

* Medical information provided is based on reference from the WebMD Health website (www.webmd.com). It is not meant to replace the diagnosis of a qualified physician, and further research of any information provided is encouraged.

+ Statistics provided by the Lupus Foundation of America.

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