What is systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)? Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body, including the: Skin. Joints. Heart. Lungs. Kidneys. Brain. Lupus happens when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. This attack causes inflammation and, in some cases, permanent tissue damage. If you have lupus, you may have times of illness (flares) and times of wellness (remission). Lupus flares can be mild to serious, and they do not follow a pattern. However, with treatment, many people with lupus

何謂系統性紅斑狼瘡（狼瘡）？ 系統性紅斑狼瘡（狼瘡）是一種慢性（長期）自身免疫性疾病，可影響多個身體部位，包括： 皮膚。 關節。 心臟。 肺。 腎臟。 大腦。 在正常情況下，免疫系統會幫助保護身體免於發生感染和疾病。但當發生狼瘡時，免疫系統攻擊自身組織。這樣的攻擊會造成炎症，而且在某些情況下會造成永久性的組織損傷。 如果您患有狼瘡，則您可能有時候發病（急性發作），有時候健康（緩解）。狼瘡急性發作時的程度可輕可重，而且也沒有一定的規律。但如果接受治療，許多狼瘡患者可以管理這一疾病。

What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. It also can cause you to feel overly tired (fatigue) and have trouble sleeping. Doctors do not fully understand what causes fibromyalgia, but people with the disorder are more sensitive to pain.

What is Paget’s disease? Paget’s disease of bone is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes bones to grow larger and become weaker than normal. Usually only one or a few bones have the disease. Many people with Paget’s disease do not have symptoms. However, the bone changes can cause: Bone pain. Misshapen bones. Broken bones (fractures). Problems in the joints near the bones with the disease. With treatment, many people can: Manage their symptoms. Improve pain. Control the effects of the disease.

What is reactive arthritis? Reactive arthritis happens when an infection causes joint pain and swelling. A bacterial infection in the digestive or urinary tract or the genitals usually triggers the condition, but arthritis symptoms typically do not start until a few weeks after you have recovered from the infection. The most common features of reactive arthritis are inflammation of the joints (especially the knees and ankles), eyes, and urinary tract, but not everyone gets all three, or they might not happen at the same time.

What is atopic dermatitis? Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated, making it extremely itchy. Scratching leads to: Redness. Swelling. Cracking. “Weeping” clear fluid. Crusting. Scaling. In most cases, there are times when the disease is worse, called flares, followed by times when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions. Atopic dermatitis is a common condition, and anyone can get the disease. However, it usually begins in childhood. Atopic dermatitis cannot be spread from person to person. No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis. Depending on

何謂異位性皮膚炎？ 異位性皮膚炎通常稱為濕疹。這是一種慢性（長期）疾病，造成皮膚炎症和刺激症狀，導致極度瘙癢。抓撓會引起： 發紅。 腫脹。 皸裂。 滲出透明液體。 結痂。 脫皮。 在大多數情況下，有時病情惡化（稱為急性發作），然後皮膚情況有所改善或症狀完全消失（稱為緩解）。 異位性皮膚炎是一種常見病症，任何人都可能患上。但異位性皮膚炎通常是在兒童期開始出現。異位性皮膚炎不會從一個人傳給另一個人。沒有人知道異位性皮膚炎的病因是什麼。根據症狀的嚴重程度，異位性皮膚炎患者的生活可能並不容易，但治療可幫助控制症狀。

What is gout? Gout is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in your joints, usually as flares that last for a week or two, and then go away. Gout flares often begin in your big toe or a lower limb. Gout happens when high levels of a substance called serum urate build up in your body. When this happens, needle-shaped crystals form in and around the joint. This leads to inflammation and arthritis of the joint. However, many people with high levels of serum urate will not develop gout. With early diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes, gout

What are autoinflammatory diseases? Autoinflammatory diseases refer to problems with the immune system, which usually fights off viruses, bacteria, and infection. The problem causes your immune cells to attack your body by mistake. This can cause swelling that produces fever, rash, joint swelling, or serious buildup of a blood protein in your organs.