Lupus is a chronic and potentially life-threatening disease that affects over 50, 000 Canadians, of whom 90% are females typically diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 35. Lupus can attack any organ of the body causing recurrent illness, chronic pain and disability. Worldwide, lupus is more common than leukemia, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy combined.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, a type of self-allergy, whereby the patient's immune system creates antibodies which instead of protecting the body from bacteria and viruses attack the person's own body tissues. This causes symptoms of extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, anaemia, general malaise, and can result in the destruction of vital organs. It is a disease with many manifestations, and each person's profile or list of symptoms is different. It is often referred to as "The Disease of a 1000 Faces."
