Kittiphan Teerawattanakul / EyeEm / Getty Images
Environmental factors, such as certain drugs and infections, may trigger the disease in genetically predisposed individuals. While we know lupus causes the immune system to create antibodies against itself,what causes lupusis still unknown.
There are three main risk factors for lupus: sex, race, and age. Lupus is most common in women, as well as in people of African American, Hispanic and Asian descent. Although lupus affects people of all ages, it mostly affects people between 15 and 44 years old.
Potential Triggers
Lupus is a disease that presents with a variable clinical course. In other words, lupus waxes and wanes and occurs in bouts. Although the development of lupus is likely rooted ingenetics, environmental factors can exacerbate or trigger this illness.
Infections, sunlight, and medications such as anti-seizure or blood pressure medications can all potentially trigger lupus.If you have a family history of lupus or are at risk of developing the condition, limiting your exposure to the sun and wearing sunblock can help you eliminate these triggers.
Of note, there are 4 types of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), drug-induced lupus,cutaneous (discoid lupus), and neonatal lupus, with SLE being the most common. Typically, if you have drug-induced lupus, your symptoms will resolve once you stop taking the medication that induced your lupus.
Depending on the type of lupus you have, lupus can affect various organ systems and body parts including your kidneys, blood, skin, joints, brain, heart, and lungs.
Treatment
Depending on the signs, symptoms, and progression of the disease, lupus can be treated in various ways.
Commonmedicationsused to control lupus symptoms include:
It should be noted that, as with any medication, some medications used to treat lupus have adverse effects. For example, immunosuppressants inhibit the immune system and can result in infection.
If you are concerned you may have lupus or have a risk of developing the condition, speak with your healthcare provider. They will likely refer you to a rheumatologist for further testing. In order to diagnose lupus, your healthcare provider will order several different blood tests. However, if you are not currently having a lupus flare, the condition may be harder to diagnose and require repeat blood tests during a more symptomatic period.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Imboden J, Hellmann D, Stone J.Current Rheumatology Diagnosis & Treatment. 3rd ed.New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013.erythematosus D.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Singh J, Hossain A, Kotb A, Wells G.Risk of serious infections with immunosuppressive drugs and glucocorticoids for lupus nephritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.BMC Med. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0673-8Additional ReadingLupus Causes. Lupus Foundation of America.What is Lupus?Lupus Foundation of America.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Imboden J, Hellmann D, Stone J.Current Rheumatology Diagnosis & Treatment. 3rd ed.New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013.erythematosus D.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Singh J, Hossain A, Kotb A, Wells G.Risk of serious infections with immunosuppressive drugs and glucocorticoids for lupus nephritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.BMC Med. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0673-8Additional ReadingLupus Causes. Lupus Foundation of America.What is Lupus?Lupus Foundation of America.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Imboden J, Hellmann D, Stone J.Current Rheumatology Diagnosis & Treatment. 3rd ed.New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013.erythematosus D.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Singh J, Hossain A, Kotb A, Wells G.Risk of serious infections with immunosuppressive drugs and glucocorticoids for lupus nephritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.BMC Med. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0673-8
Imboden J, Hellmann D, Stone J.Current Rheumatology Diagnosis & Treatment. 3rd ed.New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013.
erythematosus D.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.
Singh J, Hossain A, Kotb A, Wells G.Risk of serious infections with immunosuppressive drugs and glucocorticoids for lupus nephritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.BMC Med. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0673-8
Lupus Causes. Lupus Foundation of America.What is Lupus?Lupus Foundation of America.
Lupus Causes. Lupus Foundation of America.
What is Lupus?Lupus Foundation of America.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
