The Lupus Encyclopedia

People who have lupus and their primary care doctors will find in this book all the information they need. -- from the Foreword by George C. Tsokos, M.D., Harvard Medical School Finally, an expert clinician who can explain a complicated medical condition using simple conversational English without glossing over important details or talking down to the reader. The information will be clear to anyone with a high school education and will also be helpful for medical professionals. I will be recommending this book to my patients with lupus and to anyone who wants to understand this illness better. -- Joan T. Merrill, M.D., Head, Clinical Pharmacology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and Medical Director, Lupus Foundation of America An extremely thorough and readable volume reflecting enormous amounts of time, effort, and research. -- Daniel J. Wallace MD FACP, FACR, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, author of The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients and Their Families

Donald Thomas provides information for women who wish to become pregnant and advises readers about working with a disability, complementary and alternative medicine, infections, cancer, and a host of other topics.Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can affect any system and organ in the body. For the 1.4 million people in the United States who have lupus, an overactive immune system senses that different parts of the body do not belong, and it attacks these parts. The immune system may strike the cells that line the joints or tendons, for example, causing pain and swelling. An incredibly complex disease, lupus must be properly treated for the optimal health and well-being of the person who has it. The Lupus Encyclopedia is an authoritative compendium that provides detailed explanations of every body system potentially affected by the disease, along with practical advice about coping. People with lupus, their loved ones, caregivers, and medical professionals-all will find here an invaluable resource. Illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and tables, The Lupus Encyclopedia explains symptoms, diagnostic methods, medications and their potential side effects, and when to seek medical attention. Dr. Donald Thomas provides information for women who wish to become pregnant and advises readers about working with a disability, complementary and alternative medicine, infections, cancer, and a host of other topics.