Guest Author - Sunniej Jackson

Lupus affects five million people primarily women in their prime child bearing years at ages between 15 and 44. Lupus is a life-threatening disease where the immune system attacks the body's own cells and organs including a fetus. Lupus can go undiagnosed because of similar symtoms. People with lupus are at risk of strokes, heart attacks, disabling pain, disfiguring skin rashes and other serious health problems.

If you are experiencing multiple miscarriages with no concrete reasons being provided, this is something you might want to discuss with your physician. Also, if you are experience fatigue, achiness, skin rashes do not overlook these symptoms seek immediate medical attention. I experienced episodes simulating Lupus symptoms only during pregnancy and had multiple miscarriages in my first trimester. I went to a number of specialists, had numerous tests, was on a number of different medications to decreae my chances of having another miscarriage unfortunately to no avail. When I was not pregnant I was very healthy and had two previous normal pregnancies with two normal children so this was really a mystery. I have not experienced any other Lupus symptoms since. It don’t hurt to ask questions. Remember knowledge is the beginning of understanding.

Lupus can affect every organ and every part of the body. Unfortunately, at this time there is no cure and can be fatal. Please note that no new drugs have been approved to treat lupus in more than 40 years.

The Lupus Foundation of America will join international lupus organizations to conduct the fourth annual observance of World Lupus Day on May 10, 2007.

World Lupus Day provides a forum for information, increased public understanding of the impact of lupus both emotionally and physically. Lupus clinics are collaborating on research of new treatments and governments are beginning to recognize the need to provide more funds for medical research and patient services. Hopefull their will be new information and treatments available soon.

To get more information about the efforts to combat lupus stop by the World Lupus Day website.