There are several different types of lupus, which is a disease that can affect joints, skin, internal organs, and other parts of the body. Much like Rheumatoid Arthritis, lupus is an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, the body's immune system produces antibodies that attack the body's own cells and tissues. Also like Rheumatoid Arthritis, lupus is very often a chronic condition characterized by periods when the disease is active (flares) interspersed with periods of relative disease inactivity (remissions).

The most common form of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As the name suggests, SLE is known to affect multiple body systems such as the heart, lung, skin, joints, and nervous system. About fifty percent of all cases of SLE affect mainly the internal organs, while the other fifty percent of cases affect mainly the skin and the joints. SLE accounts for approximately 70% of all lupus patients.

Fifteen percent of those people with lupus have a form of the disease that affects the skin. This type of lupus is referred to as discoid lupus or cutaneous lupus. This strain of lupus causes recurring skin rashes that can also leave scars.

Genes appear to play a major role in determining who gets lupus. Studies have shown that lupus is more prevalent in families in which one or more family members have lupus or a related autoimmune disease. The majority of people with lupus are female – about ninety percent. Although it can strike at any age, lupus usually appears in the 18 to 45 year-old population.

Treatment for lupus often involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to reduce inflammation and immunosuppressive drugs to suppress the autoimmune response. Getting plenty of rest and exercise as well as eating a balanced diet is also beneficial to the successful management of lupus.