Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body attacks it own cells and tissue, causing a red rash on the face, or inflammation of the joints. In lupus disease all the parts of the body can be affected, such as skin, liver, kidney, joints, blood vessels, brain, blood, and the nervous system.



Lupus disease can occur in any age. However, the disease usually affects people between the ages of 15 to 45 and affects women more than men. The causes of lupus disease are still not known but it is believed to be caused by a number of environmental, dietary, and genetics factors working together.

There are 4 main types of lupus, defined by the part of the body affected, or the possible cause:

1. Systemic lupus Erythematosus (SLE): is the most common and most serious type of lupus(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Lupus.html), which involves all the organs of the body.

2. Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE): is the second most common type of lupus, which only affects the skin. Characteristic symptoms are a red butterfly rash on the face.

3. Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: causes sensitivity to sunlight and lesions on the skin when exposed to sunlight.

4. Drug-induced lupus(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Lupus.html): is caused as a result of the side effects of medicines. Its symptoms resemble those of SLE, but unlike SLE the body's organs and central nervous system are not involved.