Lupus is an autoimmune disease that attacks the tissues and organs of the body. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect various body systems, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Symptoms of lupus include fatigue, fever, joint pain, stiffness, swelling, a butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose, rashes on other parts of the body that worsen in the sun, fingers and toes that turn white or blue in the cold or during stressful times, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, confusion, and memory loss. Treatment for lupus depends on what symptoms are being experienced and may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antimalarial drugs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics such as belimumab.
