If you smoke, you are more likely than a nonsmoker to get lupus. Recent scientific studies have shown that smokers have an increased risk of this disease. Smoking is also a problem for people who already have lupus because it decreases the effectiveness of medicines used to treat this disease. When people who have lupus involving the skin quit smoking, they often feel better because their medicines can work more effectively.
just the facts
About two and a half million Americans have lupus.
definition
Systemic lupus erythematosus, usually called lupus, is a disease that can affect many different parts of the body, especially the joints, skin and kidneys. Like rheumatoid arthritis, it is a chronic disease, and it is caused by a malfunction of the immune system. Lupus usually starts in adulthood, but some people develop this disease as teenagers. Lupus is not contagious. About two and a half million Americans have lupus. Lupus can be quite severe, even fatal.
