Is it lupus or rheumatoid arthritis?

Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both autoimmune diseases. In fact, the two diseases are sometimes confused because they share many symptoms. Autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system attacks cells in your body, triggering inflammation and damaging healthy tissue. read more

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus are relatively common, severe disorders. About 1.5 million people or about 0.6 percent of the U.S. adult population have rheumatoid arthritis. Estimating how many people in the U.S. have lupus is difficult because symptoms vary widely and onset is often hard to pinpoint. read more

An uncommon but serious form of lupus rash results in the development of large blisters and is called a"bullous" lupus rash. Joints. Arthritis is very common in people with lupus. read more

Many people with lupus take corticosteroids and other prescription drugs to treat joint inflammation and pain. Others might need medication to treat skin rashes, heart disease, or kidney problems. Sometimes a combination of several drugs works best. People with rheumatoid arthritis can get cortisone shots to control the inflammation. read more