Early Signs of Lupus
Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems including your joints, skin, kidneys, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus, a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks, occurs in many but not all cases of lupus. Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight in some cases. While there's no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms. Here are some early signs of lupus that you should definitely know about.
1. Unexplained fever
One of the early symptoms of lupus is a fever for no apparent reason. Because it may hover somewhere between 98.5˚F (36.9˚C) and 101˚F (38.3˚C), you might not go see a doctor. People with lupus may experience this type of fever off and on. If you have recurrent, low-grade fevers, you should make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.
2. Butterfly Rash
40% of people diagnosed with lupus develop a red, bumpy rash that extends from the bridge of the nose and across the cheeks in a butterfly-shaped pattern. While the face rash is the most common, a rash may also appear anywhere on the body. The second most common place for the rash to appear is on the chest. The rash may appear as a single raised, red and disc-shaped lesion, or as a widespread skin disturbance with many red lesions. Exposure to sunlight may make the lesions worse.
3. Fatigue
About 90 percent of people with lupus experience some level of fatigue. An afternoon nap does the trick for some people, but sleeping too much during the day can lead to insomnia at night. It may be difficult, but if you can remain active and stick to a daily routine, you may be able to keep your energy levels up. Speak to your doctor if you’re living with debilitating fatigue.
4. Sores in the Nose or Mouth
Approximately one out of every three people who are diagnosed with lupus develops ulcers in the mucosal tissues of the mouth or nose. These ulcerations can be very painful and irritating.
5. Hair loss
Thinning hair is definitely one of the first symptoms of lupus. Hair loss is the result of inflammation of the skin and scalp. Some people with lupus lose hair by the clump. More often, hair thins out slowly. Lupus can cause hair to feel brittle, break easily, earning it the name “lupus hair.”
6. Frequent Infections
Individuals who have lupus are more prone to contract infections and illnesses compared with the rest of the population. This is because of an altered response of the immune system; drugs used to treat lupus also reduce the ability of the immune system to function well. Infections may be mild or serious. A healthcare provider should be consulted promptly at the first sign of infection.
7. Painful, swollen joints
Inflammation can cause pain, stiffness, and visible swelling in your joints. It may be mild at first and gradually become more obvious and more painful. Like other symptoms of lupus, joint problems can come and go.
8. Dry mouth, dry eyes
If you have lupus, you may experience dry mouth. Your eyes may feel dry, too. That’s because some people with lupus develop Sjogren’s disease, another autoimmune disorder. Sjogren’s causes the glands responsible for tears and saliva to malfunction and lymphocytes can accumulate in the glands.
People suffering from lupus will have episodes when the disease flares up, followed by times of remission where they feel healthy. It’s a continuous cycle, and the disease can range from mild to life-threatening. With proper care, most people with lupus can lead a full and happy life.
