Signs if You Suffer from Lupus
Lupus is a disease that occurs in which the immune system begins to attack the tissues of the human body itself. This triggers infection in certain organs of the body. The nature of lupus is individual, two victims may experience two different symptoms. Lupus affects approximately 1 in 2000 people in the United States, and 9 out of 10 cases of lupus occur in women. Lupus can affect people of all racial and ethnic groups, but the disease is more common in African Americans.
Lupus has effects on many different elements of the body, it can cause many different symptoms. Many people with lupus don't have all the signs and symptoms.
This event is similar to "friendly fire" causing irritation to certain organs of the body.
More than 1.5 million Americans have lupus. And approximately 70% have systemic lupus erythematosus. This disease can affect almost any part of the human body, including the skin, major organs, hair, joints, muscles, and the digestive system.
What's The Signs of Lupus Disease?
Lupus symptoms usually begin in early adulthood, from the teens to thirties. Women with lupus usually experience an increase in symptoms followed by periods of remission. That's why early signs and symptoms are easy to ignore.
Types of Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus
The most common form of lupus is systemic lupus, and this is what most women mean when they refer to lupus. Systemic lupus can be mild. Below is a brief description of some of the serious problems involving primary organ systems. (medicalnewstoday)
Inflammation of the kidneys, known as lupus nephritis, can affect how the body filters wastes from the blood. This can be very damaging, so dialysis or a kidney transplant may be required.
Inflammation of the brain's blood vessels can trigger a high fever, seizures, and behavioral changes.
Inflammation of the brain and nervous system can lead to headaches, memory problems, confusion, and strokes.
Lupus neonates
Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that affects the infants of women with lupus, and is triggered by antibodies from the mother acting on the baby in the womb. At birth, the baby may have liver problems, skin rashes, or low blood cell counts, but these signs and symptoms go away completely after a few months with no lasting effects.
Some infants with neonatal lupus can have severe heart defects. With the right testing, doctors can now identify mothers who are most at risk, and children can be treated during or before birth.
Drug induced lupus erythematosus
This is a lupus-like disease caused by certain prescription medications. Symptoms of drug-induced lupus are similar to those of systemic lupus, but rarely affect major organs.
The capsules most frequently associated with drug-induced lupus include:
- Hydralazine, a medication to treat hypertension or high blood pressure.
- Isoniazid, the treatment for tuberculosis
- Procainamide, treatment for irregular heart rhythms
- Drug-induced lupus is more common in men, as they take these capsules more frequently; however, not all humans who take these capsules will improve drug-induced lupus. Lupus-like symptoms usually go away within 6 months of stopping this medication.
Lupus erythematosus skin
This kind of disease is limited to the skin. Although cutaneous lupus can cause many different types of lesions and rashes, the most common is a discoid rash that appears, is red and scaly, but is now not itchy. The area of the rash appears as a circle.
Another example of skin lupus is a rash on the bridge of the nose and over the cheeks, known as a butterfly rash. Another rash may appear on the neck, face, or scalp, or on the nose, mouth, or vagina. Hair loss and changes in pigment, or skin color, are also symptoms of skin lupus.
Woman With Lupus Mostly Get Lupus Rash
Many women with lupus will have some form of rash. As many as two-thirds of people with lupus develop pores and skin rashes, and it is estimated that between 40 and 70% of people with lupus will notice that their signs and symptoms worsen in sunlight or some kind of synthetic light.
One of the main types of lupus, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, is limited to skin symptoms, which consist of rashes and lesions. That is, women with cutaneous lupus who do not develop systemic lupus erythematosus experience only cutaneous symptoms. Women with cutaneous lupus most commonly have a discoid rash. It appears round, raised, red patches and may cause scarring. It is often limited to small areas above the neck, such as the ears and scalp. The rash does not usually itch or cause discomfort.
Women with lupus should be aware that most rashes, and sometimes other symptoms, are exacerbated by sun exposure, so you may choose to avoid them or use sun protection. It's important to talk to your healthcare practitioner about the rashes and skin lesions you observe, as many are treated differently, and some can be symptoms and signs that the disease is progressing or changing. You may require other lupus medication as well.
Lupus Early Signs and Symptoms
What are the signs if you have lupus? Fatigue, joint pain, fever, and changes in weight are usually early signs of lupus. (mayo clinic) Some adults may have periods of signs of SLE known as flares, which may appear frequently, sometimes for years and then disappear at other times—called remissions. Other signs that you have lupus include:
Loss of appetite, Muscle aches, Blood cell and immunological disorders, Sun sensitivity, Thrush.
Lupus Symptoms in Women
Lupus can cause signs that may not be obvious at first, but get worse. Symptoms can also appear. sudden or gradual Many people with lupus aren't diagnosed right away, as it can mimic other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and a number of other diseases that affect the same organ systems.
Early signs and symptoms are similar to these conditions, having them doesn't necessarily mean you have lupus. The early signs of lupus may include:
Unexplained fever
One of the early signs of lupus disease is a low-grade fever for no apparent reason. Because it may range between 98.5˚F and 101˚F, you might not assume to see a lupus doctor. People with lupus may have a fever like this all the time.
A low-grade fever can be a sign of inflammation, infection, or an impending attack. If you have a mild fever that persists, see your doctor
Fatigue
Many people with lupus go through several stages of fatigue. Naps are beneficial for some people, but sleeping too much throughout the day can cause insomnia at night. If you stay active and stick to a daily routine, you may be able to maintain your energy levels.
Talk to a specialist if you live with debilitating fatigue.
Hair loss
Thinning hair is often one of the earliest signs of lupus. Hair loss is the result of inflammation of the scalp. Many women with lupus suffer from hair loss More often than not, your hair will thin out slowly. Lupus causes your hair to feel brittle and break easily, hence the name hair lupus.
Skin rashes or lesions
One of the most noticeable signs of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash that appears over the bridge of your nose and on your cheeks. Approximately half a percent of women with lupus develop this rash. It occurs suddenly or appears after sun exposure. Sometimes a rash appears just before a flare-up.
Many women with lupus are sensitive to sunlight, or even to artificial light. Some people experience discoloration of their fingers and toes.
Joint pain and swelling
Inflammation can cause stiffness, pain, and visible swelling in your joints, especially in the morning. It may also be mild at first and become more noticeable gradually. If over-the-counter pain medication doesn't help, talk to your doctor. There may be better treatment options. Your doctor will need to determine whether the joint problem is triggered by lupus or another condition, such as arthritis.
Lung Problems.
Inflammation of the pulmonary system is another possible symptom in people with lupus. The lungs become inflamed, and swelling may extend to the pulmonary veins. Even the diaphragm could be affected. All of these conditions can cause chest pain when you try to take a breath. This condition is known as pleuritic chest pain.
Over time, breathing problems from lupus can reduce lung size. Chest pain and shortness of breath are the hallmarks of this condition. It is sometimes known as shrunken lung syndrome. The diaphragm muscle is so fragile that it appears to move upward on a CT scan image.
Kidney inflammation
Women with lupus can develop an infection of the kidneys known as nephritis. The resulting inflammation makes it difficult for the kidneys to filter toxins from the blood. Nephritis usually begins within 5 years after lupus onset.
The symptoms include:
- Swelling in lower legs and feet
- High blood pressure
- Frequent urination at night
- Blood in the urine
- Urine is darker
The early signs and symptoms may go unnoticed. After diagnosis, evaluation of kidney function is recommended. Untreated lupus nephritis can cause end-stage kidney disease (ESRD).
Gastrointestinal problems.
Women with lupus occasionally experience acid reflux, heartburn, or other digestive problems. OTC antacids may treat mild symptoms. If you experience frequent acid reflux or heartburn, try cutting back on your portions and staying away from caffeinated drinks. Don't lie down right after eating. If signs and symptoms persist, seek the advice of your healthcare practitioner to rule out other conditions.
Dry eyes and dry mouth
For women with lupus, they may also have dry mouth. Eyes may also feel dry. That is because some women with lupus can develop Sjogren's disease, another autoimmune disorder.
Sjogren's triggers the glands that are responsible for tears and saliva to malfunction, and lymphocytes can accumulate in the glands. In some cases, women with lupus and Sjogren's may also experience skin and vaginal dryness.
Thyroid problems
It's not unusual for women with lupus to develop autoimmune thyroid disease. The thyroid regulates your metabolism. A poorly functioning thyroid can have an impact on important organs such as your brain, heart, kidneys and liver. It can also cause weight loss or gain
Other signs and symptoms include skin and hair dryness
When the thyroid is underactive the situation is known as hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is triggered by overactive thyroid.
Summary
Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of your body, including your skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs and nervous system. These are the most common autoimmune diseases.
Lupus symptoms can vary, including fatigue, joint pain, rash, and fever. It can periodically turn on, get worse, and then get better.
Living with lupus means dealing with signs and symptoms that recur frequently, followed by periods of complete remission. Early on, this pattern can make it easy to ignore signs that aren't considered sufficient to warrant medical attention. However, as lupus progresses, humans begin to see patterns and realize they need help from their doctor.