Systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms include inflammation in many organs and systems, including the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs and central nervous system. A person with this autoimmune disease may have multiple symptoms or just one, and they may also have flare-ups and remissions of their symptoms over time.
Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can range from mild to severe and affect several different body parts at once, often with no apparent connection between them. These include fever, swelling of the arms, legs and face, and pain in muscles and joints.
The most common type of lupus, SLE is a chronic, lifelong disease that can have a profound effect on a person’s quality of life. It typically goes through cycles of flare-ups and remissions, with the latter being marked by little or no symptoms.
It’s a complicated disease that can be difficult to diagnose. Doctors have to look at many different things to make the diagnosis, including symptoms and a person’s medical history. In addition, they consider 11 lupus criteria to come up with the right diagnosis.
Generally, lupus is more common in women than men and is more prevalent among certain groups of people, such as Black, Asian and LatinX individuals. There’s no clear cause of lupus, but researchers believe that hormones, chemicals and genetic factors play roles in this autoimmune disorder.
Lupus can lead to serious health problems and complications, such as lupus nephritis, a kidney infection that can cause fluid buildup in the bladder and kidneys. Other lupus complications include kidney failure, a condition in which the kidneys fail to filter waste products from the blood properly.
When lupus affects the brain and spinal cord, it can cause numbness or weakness. It can also cause confusion or depression. In some cases, it can cause seizures or psychosis, which is when a person experiences thoughts or feelings that don’t match up with reality.
If lupus affects the skin, it can cause red, scaly patches that itch and bleed. In some people, the patches become infected and cause scars that are difficult to heal.
Your rheumatologist may want to see you and perform some tests to check for autoantibodies in your blood. Antibodies normally help repel viruses and bacteria, but in people with lupus, they can mistakenly target healthy tissue.
Some lupus patients may have dangerous reductions in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These changes can cause fatigue and serious infections. They can also lead to bruising easily.
In some people, lupus can also cause blood clots in the legs or lungs, which can be life-threatening. They can also lead to strokes in the brain, so it’s important to have a routine series of blood tests to monitor your blood counts and find out if you have any clots or other problems.
Ultimately, your rheumatologist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique situation. The right medications can ease the symptoms, slow or prevent flare-ups and keep you healthy for a lifetime.
