Lupus Symptoms

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is a long-term disease. It causes pain and inflammation in any given part of the body [¹]. In a healthy body, the immune system fights infections. But in this condition, the immune system attacks healthy tissue. This autoimmune disease usually affects the following parts of your body:

Internal organs (heart, kidneys, etc.)
Joints
Skin

Types of Lupus

The most common type of Lupus is systemic Lupus. But there are four kinds of this disease.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common one that 70% of affected people have [²]. This type causes inflammation of multiple organs in the body. It can be chronic or acute.
Cutaneous Lupus (CLE) is limited to the skin. It appears as a red, scaly rash. These rashes result from sun exposure. In some patients, CLE can also develop into SLE.
Drug-induced Lupus is a result of certain prescription medications. While it has some symptoms like SLE, it doesn’t affect major organs. Once you stop the particular medicine, the condition disappears.
Neonatal Lupus is limited to newborns. In most cases, it disappears after six months. This rare type usually affects infants of women with Lupus.

How is Lupus Diagnosed?

Lupus isn't easy to diagnose. Most of its symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases. There is no standard test to find out if you have Lupus. But there are other ways to make a diagnosis [³].

Your healthcare provider will inquire about your medical history. They may also ask about your symptoms and how long they have lasted.

They may also inquire about your family history of the disease. Following this, they may conduct a physical exam. They will look for rashes or other signs to find out if something is wrong.

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests are also a popular way to make progress with the diagnosis. This test shows if your immune system is likely to make lupus autoantibodies. Even if you test positive, it doesn't necessarily indicate you have Lupus. Your doctor will most likely recommend more tests specific to SLE.

Another way to determine whether you have the disease is through a biopsy. A kidney or skin biopsy is a procedure in which the surgeon removes a tissue sample. Then they view it under a microscope to look for signs of Lupus.

Lupus Staging

It's important to note that there are no stages of Lupus. But, Lupus can cause many complications. One of those complications is "lupus nephritis." This is when the disease causes the immune system to attack the kidneys. There are six different stages of the disease.

Class 1 Minimal Mesangial glomerulonephritis is when the kidney damage is minimal. In this stage, there are no obvious symptoms.
Class 2 Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis is when there is some kidney damage. The symptoms appear in the form of excess protein in the urine.
Class 3 Focal glomerulonephritis is when the kidney damage has extended to 50%. The symptoms appear in the form of:

High blood pressure
Protein in urine
Blood in urine

Is Lupus Hereditary?

It's difficult to determine a single cause of Lupus. But it can result from a combination of your environment and genetics [⁴]. Inherited predisposition for this disease can make some people more vulnerable to developing it. But it isn't entirely due to hereditary factors. If you have a genetic predisposition to it, something in the environment can also trigger the onset of Lupus.

Lupus Symptoms

Identifying Lupus can be challenging at first. But, if you experience the following persistently, consult a doctor immediately.

What Are the Symptoms of Lupus?

Common lupus symptoms include [⁵]:

Swelling and muscle pain in the shoulders, neck, arms
Fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
Rashes on parts of the body exposed to the sun
Chest pain due to inflammation in the lining of the lungs
Hair loss
Light or sun sensitivity, which often causes fever, rashes, fatigue, etc.
Anemia
Extreme fatigue
Kidney problems appear in the form of weight gain, swollen ankles, etc.
Memory problems
Blood clotting in the lungs or legs (it can also cause strokes and miscarriages)
Mouth sores
Eye disease in the form of eyelid rashes, eye inflammation, and dry eyes

What Are Some Signs of Lupus?

Most of its early signs are very similar to signs of other diseases. These include but are not limited to

Rash
Hair loss
Fatigue
Fever
Gastrointestinal problems
Dry eyes and mouth
Thyroid problems
Swollen joints
Kidney problems
Pulmonary problems

Symptoms of Lupus in Women vs. Symptoms of Lupus in Men*

Lupus symptoms are mostly similar in women and men. But some tend to be more severe in men. These include:

Anemia
Seizures
Organ damage
Blood clots

For women, the disease is most common in the 15 to 44 age bracket. They can develop the disease during the years they can have children. Having Lupus can also increase your risk of other diseases [⁶]. Women who have Lupus are more likely to experience these problems earlier in life.

Risk Factors for Lupus

Researchers still don't know the causes of Lupus. Some believe it's due to a combination of environment and genetics. But there are common risk factors that increase a person's risk of developing it. Here are some of them [⁷]:

Age: Symptoms of Lupus are more common before the age of 18.

Sex: Women are at a higher risk of developing it.

Family history: People with relatives with Lupus have up to a 13% chance of developing it. Only 5% of children develop it if their mothers have Lupus.

Ethnicity/race: In the US, Lupus is more common in people of color. This population includes:

Asian Americans
African Americans
Latinos/Hispanics
Pacific Islanders
Native Hawaiians
Native Americans

Lupus Prevention

Preventing Lupus isn't possible. But managing it and preventing flares is possible.

It’s important to take medications just the way a healthcare provider has prescribed them. Even if you no longer feel sick, make sure to take your medicines on time.

Avoid exposure to UV rays from sunlight [⁸]. They can trigger flares, especially between 10 am and 4 pm. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen if you must step out.

Exhaustion and stress can also trigger lupus flares. Make sure to take plenty of rest and avoid unnecessary stress.

There is no specific diet for people with this autoimmune disease. But, it’s important to eat nutritious food such as:

Vegetables
Fruits
Some lean proteins like fish, meat
Beans
Whole grains

Lupus Prognosis and Treatment

Leading a normal life with Lupus is possible. With treatment, 80 to 90% of people can lead normal and healthy lives. Since there is still no cure for it, some people can die from the disease. But with close follow-up and early intervention, it does not turn fatal.

Lupus Survival Rate

There are often misunderstandings about lupus life expectancy. According to research, 80 to 90% of people live for over 10 years. But people misinterpret it and believe that there are only 10 years to live.

If Lupus hasn't affected a person's organs, they can look forward to a normal lifespan. But only if they follow their physician's instructions and take medications accordingly.

Lupus Treatment Options

Many types of medicines can treat Lupus.

Many over-the-counter NSAIDs like naproxen and ibuprofen can help. They work by reducing swelling and pain in muscles and joints.

Anti-malarial drugs also treat:

Lung inflammation
Fatigue
Skin rashes
Joint pain

Corticosteroids work by reducing pain, tenderness, and swelling. A high dosage can also calm the immune system. They are available in various forms, such as:

Cream
Shots
Pills

These drugs are very strong and handle lupus symptoms well. But the longer you use them, the harder it may get to lower the dose.

Chemotherapy or immunosuppressive agents work in severe cases of this disease. They come in when other treatments have failed. But these medicines can also cause serious side effects. They affect the body’s ability to tackle infections.

BLyS-specific inhibitors work to reduce abnormal B cells in people with Lupus. They work by inhibiting the action of a specific protein. This protein is very important in the immune response.

But this isn't it. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines too. These medicines may work on other aspects of Lupus, such as:

High blood pressure
Osteoporosis
Strokes
Heart attacks

Blood thinners such as heparin and warfarin prevent blood clotting.

Conclusion

Takeaway

Early intervention can significantly improve your chances of dealing with Lupus. This autoimmune disease comes with various complications. This is why delaying the diagnosis and treatment isn't wise. While preventing it isn't possible, managing it is.

Fortunately, there is a lot more research available on the disease now than in the past. There is a wide range of treatments available too. But they don’t specifically target the disease. They work to control its symptoms and possible complications. Nonetheless, it’s important to be aware of its symptoms and take prompt action in time.