Lupus is a mysterious and misunderstood disease that can cause a wide range of painful and debilitating symptoms. While the cause is unknown, lupus can significantly impact the quality of life for those who suffer from it.
The body is usually able to create antibodies in order to combat antigens such as bacteria and viruses. However, in Lupus, the immune system is unable to tell the difference between antigens and health tissue, which causes the creation of antibodies that are directed to attack that healthy tissue. In effect, the body becomes allergic to itself and its own health tissue.
This can lead to all the symptoms you would expect from an allergic reaction, but it can become even more serious if your body starts attacking your vital organs.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that is not contagious and most common in women aged between 15-45 years old. The causes of lupus are not fully understood, but doctors generally agree that it is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain conditions seem to make lupus more likely. For example, prolonged exposure to sunlight, prescription medications and infections with the Epstein-Barr virus can all make the condition more likely.
There are many different types of lupus, and each can have unique symptoms. Learning to identify the symptoms of lupus can help with a fast and accurate diagnosis, as well as rapid, effective treatment. In this post, we will look at eleven of the most common symptoms of lupus.
1. Fatigue
Lupus can cause the body to react as though it were reacting to a bacterial or viral infection. This can cause the immune system to kick into overdrive as it fights what it deems to be a foreign invasion. This might cause tiredness and lethargy, making the patient less able to engage in their usual activities and potentially also causing muscle aches and weakness. If the immune system fails to recognize the symptoms of Lupus and begins an attack on the body, this can cause more permanent damage to organs, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, and brain. This is known as organ failure.
SLE can also produce a variety of rashes and other physical signs that might not be easy to identify without a thorough medical examination.
2. Fever
One common effect of the body’s immune system going into action is the appearance of a fever. The body’s core temperature increases in an attempt to make the environment less hospitable to any invading bacteria or virus, but of course in this case, there is no such invader present!
A fever can make you feel uncomfortable with chills and sweating. However, the fever itself is not dangerous unless it gets too high or causes dehydration.
Drinking lots of water is the key to preventing this from happening.
3. Rash
One of the most common symptoms of any allergy or infection is the appearance of a rash. This is very common in patients with lupus, as the rash often appears much like a contagious rash – creating blotches around the skin.
In some forms of lupus, the condition will be limited to affecting only the skin. This is frequently referred to as discoid lupus, and it often causes a rash to appear on the face, neck, and scalp.
The word “lupus” is often used to refer to the systemic kind that affects organs.
4. Joint Pain
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sufferers might experience inflammation in the joints, causing pain and discomfort. This can make it difficult to do normal things and move around, making the patient feel immobilized. SLE sufferers might experience inflammation in the joints, causing pain and discomfort. This can make it difficult to do normal things and move around, making the patient feel immobilized. Joint Damage: Left untreated, SLE may lead to joint damage. These kinds of damages can impact the flexibility and movement of the limbs. In severe cases, these damages could cause permanent disability. Left untreated, SLE may lead to joint damage.
Muscle ache is common in all forms of lupus, just as fever and tiredness are common.
5. Flare Ups
In SLE, the joint pain can feel very similar to arthritis, and often it will cause periods of ‘flare’ when the symptoms become most noticeable, with intermittent periods of remission where the disease is dormant and stops affecting the patient. In fact, the distinction between arthritic pain and SLE joint pain can be quite blurred, making it difficult to treat effectively.
Causes of Arthritis in Lupus Erythematosus
SLE is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. In the case of arthritis, this attack is focused on connective tissue such as cartilage and ligaments, causing swelling and inflammation.
There are many potential causes for similar symptoms, so it is important to rule these out when attempting to make a diagnosis.
6. Hair Loss
When the immune system attacks the body, this can result in a number of side effects depending on the healthy tissue that is attacked. One common symptom for example is hair loss. If you notice clumps of hair falling out when you are washing or combing, then this could be a sign of lupus. Of course there are many other potential causes for hair loss, so it’s important to consider this in light of your other symptoms.
Hair loss can be common with a number of other conditions and should not necessarily cause concern unless accompanied by other symptoms. However, if you notice any unusual changes in your hair, then it is important to speak to your doctor or another medical professional for advice. The disease can also affect the skin leading to inflammation, rashes and sores appearing. You may feel like the affected area is very hot and tender to touch.
7. Thyroid Problems
When the lupus attacks the thyroid, it can sometimes cause a change in the production of hormones T3 and T4.
These are called the thyroid hormones, because the gland itself is known as the thyroid. The thyroid hormones have three main functions: 1. To regulate the amount of oxygen reaching body tissues. 2. To maintain normal heart rate 3. To keep body temperature stable.
These hormones play a role in regulating the metabolism by helping the body to burn energy and regulate fat storage, as well as helping to regulate other hormones like testosterone.
There are a range of potential symptoms that can arise from thyroid problems, including weight gain or loss, low energy, hair growth, temperature changes, and more.
8. Gastrointestinal Problems
One of the challenges of lupus is that it can manifest in a variety of ways, depending on the organs affected.
The symptoms of gastric problems can include heartburn, indigestion, and the need to frequently evacuate the bowels. Other possible symptoms include wind, stomach pain, and more.
The symptoms are very similar to IBS – irritable bowel syndrome.