The Facts About Lupus Symptoms and Causes

What is Lupus Disease and Symptoms?

      

     Lupus is known as the "great imitator" because it resembles the earliest warning signs common in other diseases as well.

Do you have a fever, low energy, and no appetite? This could be the start of lupus, or it could be just the flu.

This is a disease in which the human immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy tissue. Common symptoms of lupus include swelling, inflammation, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs.

Lupus occurs when the human body's immune system attacks tissues and organs. Irritation caused by lupus can affect various parts of the body, including joints, skin, kidneys, platelets, mind, heart, and lungs.

In general, the human immune system will protect the body from infection. In lupus, however, the immune system attacks tissues in various parts of the body inappropriately. These abnormal activities lead to tissue damage and disease.

Lupus can be difficult to analyze sometimes. The most common symptom of lupus is a facial rash that appears, in the form of butterfly wings spread over both cheeks, this occurs in many, but not all cases of lupus.

Lupus can affect any age, gender, and ethnicity, but it is most commonly seen in young adult women.

The cause of lupus is thought to be genetic predisposition and environmental triggers such as infections, drugs, and sunlight. Pregnancy can be severely impacted by lupus.

There are no cases of lupus that are completely alike. Symptoms and side effects may come on suddenly, or they may be gradual, they may be mild or serious, and they may be brief or persistent.

Most people with lupus have mild disease that is described by symptoms – called flares – when signs and symptoms worsen for some time, then increase, or even disappear for a period.

How is Lupus Diagnosed?

Getting a diagnosis of lupus can be difficult and frustrating. Sometimes it can take 10 years or more for real answers to lupus symptoms.

But, going to a rheumatologist can make it much easier. A rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in joint and muscle disorders, has experience in diagnosing and treating lupus. Blood tests can determine which inflammatory condition is to blame.

People who see a dermatologist because of a suspicious skin rash may also be referred to a rheumatologist.

Lupus can cause blood clots, and a rheumatologist may be called in when unexplained clots are found.

There is no single laboratory test that can confirm whether a person has lupus, and doctors must first rule out other conditions causing the symptoms.

To be diagnosed with systemic lupus, a person must meet at least the following four criteria:

- Sun sensitivity

- Butterfly or discoid rash

- Stiffness and pain in the joints

- Repeated ulcers in the mouth or nose

- Seizures or other neurologic problems

Inflammation of the lungs

- Anemia or abnormal blood cell counts

- Kidney disorders, characterized by the presence of protein in the urine

Diagnosing Lupus

Diagnosing lupus can be difficult. Sometimes it can take months or even years to collect all the correct information.

Making a lupus diagnosis is like putting a puzzle together. Your doctor will diagnose several different pieces of the puzzle: your symptoms, medical history, family history, and lab tests. If enough of the clues match, you might be diagnosed with lupus.

Symptoms of Lupus

Symptoms of lupus usually begin in early adulthood, starting from the teenage years to the 30s. People with lupus commonly experience increased symptoms followed by periods of remission. That's why early symptoms are easy to overlook.

Because the initial symptoms are similar to those of other disease conditions, having them does not mean you have lupus. Initial symptoms may include:

An uMexplained Fever

One of the early symptoms of lupus is a mild fever for no apparent reason. As it ranges between 98.5˚F (36.9˚C) and 101˚F (38.3˚C), you may not think about seeing a doctor. People with lupus may have this type of fever over and over again.

Mild fever can be a symptom of inflammation and infection. If you have a low-grade fever that recurs, make an appointment with your doctor.  (mayoclinic)

Fatigue

Some people with lupus experience some level of tiredness. While naps may be beneficial for some people, sleeping too much during the day can lead to insomnia at night. It can be difficult, but if you can stay active and follow a daily routine, you may be able to keep your energy levels high.

Talk to your doctor if you live with debilitating fatigue.

Painful, Swollen Joints

The inflammation causes stiffness, pain, and swelling in your joints. It's mild at first and gradually becomes more pronounced. Joint problems may come back or go away, like other lupus symptoms.

If pain medication doesn't help, talk to your doctor. There may be better treatment options. Your doctor must determine if the joint problem is due to lupus or something else, such as arthritis.

Thyroid Problems

Lupus sufferers may develop autoimmune thyroid disease. The thyroid helps control your body’s metabolism. A thyroid that is not functioning optimally will affect vital organs such as your heart, brain, kidneys, and liver. It also leads to weight loss or gain. It may also cause dry skin and hair, and moodiness.

When the thyroid is abnormal it is known as hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is caused by an overactive thyroid. Treatment to restore your metabolism is available

Skin Rash or Lesions

The most frequent symptom of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash that appears on the cheeks. About half of people with lupus have this rash. Sometimes the rash appears before it recurs.

Rarely, lupus can cause hives.

Dry Mouth and Eyes

People with lupus may experience dry mouth. The eyes may feel gritty and dry, too. Some people with lupus develop Sjögren's disease, another autoimmune disorder. This causes the glands responsible for tears and saliva to malfunction, and lymphocytes build up in the glands. In some cases, women with lupus and Sjogren's may experience dryness of the skin and vagina.

Causes of Lupus

Lupus occurs when the immune system attacks the tissues in the body (immune failure).

This gives the idea that individuals with a lupus predisposition can develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the condition that can trigger lupus.

Environment

Most researchers think that environmental agents, like a chemical or virus, found randomly in genetically susceptible individuals, act to trigger disease.

The researchers have not identified a specific environmental agent, but a hypothesis is possible. While the environmental elements that can trigger lupus and cause flares are not completely known, the most frequently cited are ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) light; infection (including the effects of the Epstein-Barr virus), and exposure to silica dust in agricultural or industrial environments.

Contamination

Having the contamination can start lupus or cause it to regress in some people.

Drugs. Lupus can be activated by certain types of circulatory strain drugs, as opposed to prescription seizures and anti-infective agents. People who have sedative-induced lupus usually show signs of improvement when they stop taking the drug. Occasionally, side effects may continue even after the medication is stopped.

What Problems Can People With Lupus Have?

People with lupus generally feel sick and complain of fever, weight loss, and tiredness. People with lupus also experience special problems when the immune system attacks certain organs or areas in the body. The following body areas can be affected by lupus:

Heart.

Lupus can irritate the heart muscle, ducts, or the lining of the heart (pericarditis). The risk of cardiovascular infections and heart attacks is also increasing rapidly.

Kidney.

Kidney involvement in people with lupus can be life-threatening, and it occurs in about half of people with lupus. Kidney problems are more common when a person has other symptoms of lupus, such as rash, tiredness, arthritis, fever, and weight loss.

Skin

Some people with lupus have a red rash on their cheeks, which is called the "butterfly" rash. Hair loss and thrush are also common. One type of lupus that commonly affects your skin is called discoid lupus.

Circular red skin rashes can leave scars. The skin rash is usually made worse by the sun.

A lupus rash called lupus erythematosus sometimes gets worse after sun exposure. This type of rash may affect the arms, legs, and chest. A rare but serious form of lupus rash causes large blisters and is called the "bullous" lupus rash.

Cancer Growth

Having lupus seems to increase the risk of cancer growth.

Blood

Blood involvement may occur with or without other symptoms. People with lupus may experience a reduction in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets (particles that help blood clot).

Pregnancy at Risk

Women with lupus have a greater risk of an irregular birth cycle. Lupus increases the risk of hypertension during pregnancy (preeclampsia) and premature delivery.

To reduce the dangers of this discomfort, doctors regularly prescribe delaying pregnancy until your illness has healed for about half a year.

Summary

Lupus can affect many different body parts, and lupus can cause many different symptoms. Many people with lupus do not have all of the symptoms. The common symptoms of lupus are:

- Severe tiredness (feeling tired all the time)

- Swelling that occurs in the legs, hands, and around the eyes

- Pain or swelling in joints