May is National Lupus awareness month. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects young women between the ages of 15-44, including Grammy award-winning singer, Toni Braxton. 90% of people affected with Lupus are women although when the disease affects men it can be more disabling and debilitating, and even children and newborn babies can have Lupus. Interestingly women of color are diagnosed with Lupus 2-3 times more often than Caucasian women. Lupus is a chronic disease that can affect any organ of the body from the skin to the heart. For 1/3 of those with Lupus the only visible symptom is the malar, “butterfly rash” found on the nose and cheeks. Researchers have been working for years to understand the basis of Lupus and how to treat and cure it because for many the long-term complications from Lupus can be devastating and include strokes, seizures, heart attacks, and renal failure. In 2010 the first drug was approved to specifically treat Lupus and many people are living long and productive lives with Lupus. This month stand up and support the 1.5 million Americans who are living with Lupus by wearing purple.
Wishing you good health.
XO
Dr. V