Lupus-How Do I Recognize the Warning Signs of Lupus

The warning signs of Lupus are sometimes had to see. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can target your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. This manifests itself in many different ways.

So the warning signs of Lupus are very individual. Even for Doctors, it is hard to catch the warning signs of Lupus. The only reason I was diagnosed was because I crawled into a clinic one day and one of the staff Doctors had Lupus. They took one look at me and knew. But, I was having a full blown episode at that time.
(pic) Wear purple for Lupus Survivors

The great majority of people affected are women. For reasons that aren’t clear, lupus develops when the immune system attacks your body’s own tissues and organs. Your immune system seems to get confused as to what to attack.

This is a long article. The longest one I have ever posted. I hope it is something that helps you.

Three main types of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, also called SLE, discoid lupus erythematosus and drug~induced Lupus. Of these, SLE is the most common and serious form of the disease, frequently causing swollen, painful joints, skin rash, extreme fatigue and kidney damage.

In rare cases, mothers can pass antibodies to their babies during childbirth (neonatal lupus erythematosus), though the mothers themselves usually show no signs of lupus.

Since no two cases of Lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Even the distinctive rash that gives the disease its name, “LUPUS” is the Latin word for “wolf.” They names this disease Lupus because doctors once thought the rash resembled the facial mask colorings of a wolf. But even that does not occur in every case. Mine rash is prominent on my legs.

Most people with lupus have one thing in common, however, and that’s the tendency of the disease to get decidedly worse in episodes called flares (I call mine down time because I am usually knocked down when Lupus hits me full swing) and then to improve or even disappear completely for a time or remission.

Warning Signs of Lupus

* Rash. Although it only affects about one in three people with lupus, the skin problem most often associated with the disease is a butterfly shaped rash or molar rash that develops across the cheeks and bridge of the nose.

A malar rash may be flat or raised and may be blotchy or completely red in the affected areas. Some people with lupus develop skin lesions (subacute cutaneous lesions) that initially resemble small pimples but that eventually turn scaly and itchy, whereas others have large, flat, itchy lesions with clear centers.

Both types of lesions usually appear after exposure to sunlight.

Still other people develop a crusty, red, raised rash (discoid rash) on the face, neck, chest or scalp. A discoid rash is usually thick and scaly, may last for days or years, and often leaves hypopigmented or hyperpigmented scars. This rash is the only symptom in people with the discoid form of lupus. In a small percentage of cases, people with discoid lupus may go on to develop a mild version of SLE.

* Arthritis. Most people with lupus eventually develop joint pain, stiffness and swelling, mainly in their fingers, hands, wrists and knees. The pain may shift from one joint to another or affect the same joint on both sides of the body. Lupus associated arthritis can come and go quickly and usually isn’t deforming, although the pain can be severe during a flare.

* Heart problems. Lupus can affect all parts of the heart, including the sac surrounding the heart (pericardium), the heart muscle (myocardium) and the lining of the inside of the heart (endocardium). Pericarditis, which occurs when the pericardium becomes inflamed, is particularly common in people with lupus, causing shortness of breath and sharp chest pain that may feel like a heart attack.

Although some people with kidney problems may develop frothy or tea colored urine, swelling in their ankles or lower legs, or high blood pressure, kidney damage often occurs without any warning signs or symptoms. Kidney stones are another warning.

* Brain/Central Nervous System Problems. Lupus can cause a range of serious problems related to the brain or central nervous system, including headaches, seizures, dizziness,seizures, vision problems, behavior changes or stroke.

* Kidney problems. People with lupus are especially vulnerable to kidney damage. Lupus can cause numerous types of <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glomerulonephritis”>glomerulonephritis</a>, a condition that affects the kidneys’ ability to filter toxins, leading to kidney failure.

* Lung problems. Lupus can cause a number of lung problems, the most common of which is pleurisy, an inflammation of the chest cavity lining that can produce sharp, stabbing chest pain. Less common lung conditions include pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall, and lupuspneumonitis , a lung inflammation. Occasionally, people with lupus develop high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). Pneumonia is very common with Lupus survivors

* Mucosal ulcers. These generally painless sores develop in the mouth, especially the roof of the mouth or, less often, in the nose. You’re not likely to noticemucosal ulcers unless you eat spicy food or experience recurring nosebleeds. Also nose bleeds will continue for long periods of time.

* Blood vessel disorders. Inflamed blood vessels can affect blood circulation. The inflammation may be mild and not require treatment or it can be quite severe.

* Fatigue. The fatigue that accompanies lupus is not the same tiredness you experience after a sleepless night or hard physical work. Instead, it’s an ongoing, extreme exhaustion that’s usually not relieved by rest.

* Fever. An unexplained fever, especially a chronic fever higher than 100 F may be an early sign of lupus. Fever will occur around joints and affected areas.

* Raynaud’s phenomenon. In this condition your fingers, toes, nose and ears turn pale and numb when exposed to cold temperatures. Your extremities are always cold. even in the summer.

* Digestive problems. These problems may include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Spastic colons.

* Hair loss. Because lupus can affect the skin of your scalp, you may experience some patchy hair loss. Right now my hair is falling out by the hand fulls.
* Sensitivity to sunlight. People with lupus are often highly sensitive to sunlight or have callephotosensitivity, frequently developing severe rashes on sun exposed skin. Sometimes even indoor lighting, especially fluorescent lighting, can cause the same response. Florescent lighting is very bad for humans but especially for Lupus survivors.

* Depression. People with lupus may also experience depression or difficulty concentrating, either because of the disease itself or because of the challenges of living with a chronic condition. Living with chronic pain makes you irritable and can also lead you into some serious depression.

* Swelling. You may have swollen glands or swelling in your legs, around your eyes, fingers, feet and any other joint location.

There are only a few of the warning signs of Lupus in this article, I  have not dealt with. I have SLE. You have to aggressively fight this disease. My best advise to you is to get a Doctor that will listen to your symptoms so they can recognize the warning signs of Lupus. I have had many who thought I was a hypochondriac and I have had even more who diagnosed me incorrectly. Write your symptoms down and keep track of them. So when you do go to a Doctor, you can show them your distress and concerns.

A Lupus Survivor
~The Baby Boomer Queen~

Lupus is a really tough disease. I personally know Lupus is not a disease that is easy to deal with on a day to day basis. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you well and good health. One of the things that truly helped me with my Lupus was the anti-flamatory benefits of the Acai Berry. Add it to your daily diet and let me know how it works for you.

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