Lupus

Lupus is a health problem in which the body attacks its own tissues and organs. It can cause many other health problems, such as trouble breathing, skin problems, arthritis, kidney problems, and headaches. No one knows for sure what causes lupus. Doctors think that lupus may be genetic. It is more common in African American women and other minorities than in White women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that between 1979 and 1998, 70% more African American women (between 45 and 65 years old) died from Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).