Lupus, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s tissues and cells as it normally would foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus can attack many systems of the body, but it most notably attacks the skin, joints, blood, heart, lungs, nervous system and kidneys. There is no cure for lupus, but treatments are available for particular symptoms. Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids are most commonly used to treat lupus. There are many different types of lupus, including drug-induced lupus erthematosus (caused by medications), lupus nephritis (affects the kidneys), discoid lupus erythematosus (affects the skin) and neonatal lupus (affecting babies born by women with SLE). The symptoms of lupus can vary greatly and are oftentimes mistaken for other diseases. Initially patients will suffer from fever, muscle pain, joint pains, malaise and fatigue. There are other symptoms that will diagnose lupus, from dermatological, musculoskeletal and hematological symptoms to cardiac, pulmonary and neurological symptoms. These can vary greatly from thick, scaly rashes and lesions on the skin, extreme joint pain, anemia, low white blood cell count and inflammation of organs, to pulmonary hypertension and hemorrhage, as well as the presence of excess red blood cells or serum proteins in the urine. There are many, many other signs and symptoms of the disease and nearly 10 percent of those affected by lupus will have seizures or psychosis. There are many triggers causing the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against itself. A main cause is genetics. Though researchers have not found a single lupus gene, it appears that certain combination of genes can be triggered by environmental factors such a viruses, infections, hormones, UV light/sunlight, extreme stress and medications. The most common medications proven to cause lupus in patients are quinidine, procainamide and hydralazine. Lupus can be treated affectively. Usually doctors will focus on the specific symptoms and treat those with varying medications. Lupus can be fatal, though many people live healthy, productive lives by seeking medical treatment to minimize symptoms. 
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