I may have Lupus, I may have RA. What is the difference?

Answer 1

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system turns against the body and harms healthy cells and tissues. Lupus, which is also considered a rheumatic (arthritic) disease, can affect many parts of the body including the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart or brain. Some of the most common symptoms include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system.

Lupus is more of a systemic disease that can effect systems throughout your body; while RA is a disease that targets your joints. Both are autoimmune diseases, which means your immune system is attacking healthy cells in your body.

For more info:

http://www.lupusresearch.org/faqs_lupus.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/article.htm

Answer 2

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