Symptoms of lupus vary widely depending on what parts of the body are affected.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that happens when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
Signs and symptoms of lupus may develop slowly or start suddenly.
They can also vary quite a bit, depending on which parts of your body are affected by the disease.
Common symptoms of lupus include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Stiffness, swelling, and pain of the joints
- Muscle pain
- Skin lesions that may worsen with sun exposure
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dry eyes
- Fingers and toes turning white or blue during cold or stressful periods
- Headaches, confusion, or memory loss
- Hair loss
- Swelling in the legs or around the eyes
- Swollen glands
- Mouth ulcers
- Weight loss
Lupus Butterfly Rash
About half of people with lupus experience a "butterfly" rash, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
This skin condition, a hallmark of lupus, most often appears on the face. It is also called a malar rash.
The rash resembles the shape of a butterfly, covering both cheeks and the bridge of the nose. It doesn't affect the nasal folds.
A butterfly rash is typically red, elevated, and scaly. It may occur after sun exposure or at any time.
Some people with lupus note that the appearance of a butterfly rash coincides with other symptoms’ becoming more severe.
Lupus in Women
Women with lupus may have a higher risk of developing certain other health issues.
The following conditions are often seen earlier in women with lupus:
Heart disease: Women with lupus are 50 times more likely than others of the same age to have a heart attack or chest pain, according to the U.S. Office on Women's Health.
Osteoporosis: Women with lupus experience more bone loss and fractures than other women.
Kidney disease: About 90 percent of people with lupus will have some type of kidney damage, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Yet only 2 to 3 percent of people with lupus develop severe kidney disease that requires treatment.
Lupus Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of lupus vary widely depending on what parts of the body are affected.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that happens when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
Signs and symptoms of lupus may develop slowly or start suddenly.
They can also vary quite a bit, depending on which parts of your body are affected by the disease.
Common symptoms of lupus include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Stiffness, swelling, and pain of the joints
- Muscle pain
- Skin lesions that may worsen with sun exposure
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dry eyes
- Fingers and toes turning white or blue during cold or stressful periods
- Headaches, confusion, or memory loss
- Hair loss
- Swelling in the legs or around the eyes
- Swollen glands
- Mouth ulcers
- Weight loss
Lupus Butterfly Rash
About half of people with lupus experience a "butterfly" rash, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
This skin condition, a hallmark of lupus, most often appears on the face. It is also called a malar rash.
The rash resembles the shape of a butterfly, covering both cheeks and the bridge of the nose. It doesn't affect the nasal folds.
A butterfly rash is typically red, elevated, and scaly. It may occur after sun exposure or at any time.
Some people with lupus note that the appearance of a butterfly rash coincides with other symptoms’ becoming more severe.
Lupus in Women
Women with lupus may have a higher risk of developing certain other health issues.
The following conditions are often seen earlier in women with lupus:
Heart disease: Women with lupus are 50 times more likely than others of the same age to have a heart attack or chest pain, according to the U.S. Office on Women's Health.
Osteoporosis: Women with lupus experience more bone loss and fractures than other women.
Kidney disease: About 90 percent of people with lupus will have some type of kidney damage, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Yet only 2 to 3 percent of people with lupus develop severe kidney disease that requires treatment.
Because lupus is more common in women during their childbearing years, experts are researching the role hormones like estrogen might play in the development of the disease.
Lupus and Pregnancy
Women with lupus can have successful pregnancies.
But the disease does raise the risk of developing certain complications, such as miscarriage, preterm birth, and preeclampsia (high blood pressureduring pregnancy).
Most doctors recommend delaying pregnancy until your lupus has been under control for at least six months.
Lupus in Men
While lupus is sometimes considered a "woman's disease," men can develop it, too.
In fact, in people under age 18 and over age 50, as many men as women have lupus, according to the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation.
Some doctors have limited experience in diagnosing and treating men with lupus. Be sure to find a doctor who can effectively treat your disease.
Diagnosis and Tests
There's no standard test to diagnose lupus. Identifying the disease is often difficult because its symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
It may take months, or even years, to get a diagnosis of lupus.
At some point, you'll probably be referred to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions).
Your doctor may use different tools and tests to help make a diagnosis, including:
Lupus Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of lupus vary widely depending on what parts of the body are affected.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that happens when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
Signs and symptoms of lupus may develop slowly or start suddenly.
They can also vary quite a bit, depending on which parts of your body are affected by the disease.
Common symptoms of lupus include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Stiffness, swelling, and pain of the joints
- Muscle pain
- Skin lesions that may worsen with sun exposure
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dry eyes
- Fingers and toes turning white or blue during cold or stressful periods
- Headaches, confusion, or memory loss
- Hair loss
- Swelling in the legs or around the eyes
- Swollen glands
- Mouth ulcers
- Weight loss
Lupus Butterfly Rash
About half of people with lupus experience a "butterfly" rash, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
This skin condition, a hallmark of lupus, most often appears on the face. It is also called a malar rash.
The rash resembles the shape of a butterfly, covering both cheeks and the bridge of the nose. It doesn't affect the nasal folds.
A butterfly rash is typically red, elevated, and scaly. It may occur after sun exposure or at any time.
Some people with lupus note that the appearance of a butterfly rash coincides with other symptoms’ becoming more severe.
Lupus in Women
Women with lupus may have a higher risk of developing certain other health issues.
The following conditions are often seen earlier in women with lupus:
Heart disease: Women with lupus are 50 times more likely than others of the same age to have a heart attack or chest pain, according to the U.S. Office on Women's Health.
Osteoporosis: Women with lupus experience more bone loss and fractures than other women.
Kidney disease: About 90 percent of people with lupus will have some type of kidney damage, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Yet only 2 to 3 percent of people with lupus develop severe kidney disease that requires treatment.
Because lupus is more common in women during their childbearing years, experts are researching the role hormones like estrogen might play in the development of the disease.
Lupus and Pregnancy
Women with lupus can have successful pregnancies.
But the disease does raise the risk of developing certain complications, such as miscarriage, preterm birth, and preeclampsia (high blood pressureduring pregnancy).
Most doctors recommend delaying pregnancy until your lupus has been under control for at least six months.
Lupus in Men
While lupus is sometimes considered a "woman's disease," men can develop it, too.
In fact, in people under age 18 and over age 50, as many men as women have lupus, according to the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation.
Some doctors have limited experience in diagnosing and treating men with lupus. Be sure to find a doctor who can effectively treat your disease.
Diagnosis and Tests
There's no standard test to diagnose lupus. Identifying the disease is often difficult because its symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
It may take months, or even years, to get a diagnosis of lupus.
At some point, you'll probably be referred to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions).
Your doctor may use different tools and tests to help make a diagnosis, including:
- A complete physical exam
- An examination of your medical history and symptoms
- Blood and urine tests
- A kidney biopsy (removal of a small piece of kidney tissue that's examined under a microscope)
- A skin biopsy
To help your doctor make a correct diagnosis, you may want to bring a list to your appointment that includes:
- All of your symptoms
- Your family's medical history
- All medicines and supplements you take
- Any triggers that seem to worsen your symptoms
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