Lupus Symptoms

What is Lupus?

Lupus is related with a chronic inflammatory disease. This disease occurs when immune system of the body attacks on own organs or tissues. Irritation caused because of lupus affected on different parts of the body such as skin, joints, heart, blood cells and the lungs.

Lupus occurs commonly in women than the men but still it is not identified why.

Types of lupus:

There are four types of lupus from that each lupus type has different diagnosis and different treatment.

Systemic lupus erythematosus: It is affected on any part of the body. Parts of the body mostly involved such as joints, skin, lungs, blood and kidney. Systemic lipus erythematosus is a general type of lupus. When people say lupus then it is referred as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Discoid lupus erythematosus: It is affected only on the skin. People suffering from discoid lupus also known as cutaneous lupus. In this case rashes occur on the neck, face and the scalp. Some people suffering from discoid lupus may build up systemic lupus erythematosus.

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus: This type of lupus occurs after taking some prescribed medications. But this is not for everyone who takes these medicines. This lupus is affected on wide variety of the body. Symptoms and signs are vanishes after you stops the drugs which causes lupus.

Neonatal lupus: This type of lupus is rarely occurred and affected on new born babies. A mother with particular antibodies which are connected to autoimmune diseases and this disease then pass to the baby even mother has no symptoms or signs.

Causes of Lupus:

The causes of the lupus are not completely understood. This result causes from interplay of genetic, environmental things such as ultraviolet light, infections, stress, particular drugs and the chemicals and because of hormonal factors.

Lupus Symptoms:

Lupus symptoms and signs are developed rapidly or slowly develop. These symptoms are severe or mild and can be permanent or temporary. Lupus symptoms and signs depend on which part of the body affects by this disease. General lupus symptoms are given below:

Fatigue
Weight loss or gain
Fever
Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose
Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
Mouth sores
Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
Hair loss
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Dry eyes
Anxiety
Easy bruising
Memory loss
Depression

Tests and diagnosis of the lupus:

Lupus symptoms are varying from person to person, so diagnosis is very difficult. Signs are changed over the time. So doctor initially does not consider the lupus until clear the symptoms and signs. Some time lupus become severe while some time it collapse totally.

For diagnosing the lupus, medical history, laboratory testing, a physical exam, and the presence of several symptoms are necessary. According to the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), no any single laboratory test exactly determines the person has lupus or not.

According to American College of Rheumatology, following signs are useful for diagnosing the lupus:

Butterfly rash: A reddish rash across the cheekbone and nose.

Discoid lesions: Raised, reddish, disk-shaped patches occurs on the body

Photosensitivity of the skin: Because of sun explorer, results the red rash

Oral ulcers: Sores in the nose or mouth which are generally painless same as blister

Arthritis: Inflammation by swelling and tenderness more peripheral joints

Heart/chest problems: Difficulty during breath and pains occur in the chest, caused because of irritation of the heart or chest cavity.

Neurological disorders: Rapid onset of psychosis or seizures

Kidney disorders: failure of kidney

Blood cell disturbances: Hemolytic anemia or leukopenia

Immunologic disruption: A attack of dysfunctional immune system on the healthy cell tissue

Antinuclear antibodies

Laboratory tests:

For diagnosing the lupus, doctor suggests urine and blood tests.

Complete blood count: Using these test white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are measured as well as amount of proteins, hemoglobin in the red blood cells. A platelet or low white blood cell count may take place in lupus.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: This test decides the rate of red blood cells settle to bottom of a tube in the hour. A faster rate than the normal show a systemic disease which is one the type of lupus.
Kidney and liver assessment. This test determines the functioning of liver and kidney. These organs may be affected by the lupus.
Urinalysis: Test of sample of urine indicates increased level of protein or red blood cells present in the urine. This may be appears when lupus affected to the kidney.
Antinuclear antibody (ANA test: This test is for checking the antibodies which is produced by the immune system and indicates the immune system which is stimulated which is most common in the lupus and the other autoimmune diseases. A positive result of antinuclear antibody test does not always meaning that person suffering from the lupus. If you have any infection or taking certain medications then level of ANA can be elevated. If ANA test is positive, then doctor suggests other antibodies tests and consult to the rheumatologist.
Chest X-ray: The chest image may expose abnormal shadows, which suggest inflammation or fluid in the lungs.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Patterns of electrical impulses are measured by this test. These electrical impulses are present in the heart. It is helpful for identifying the damage or irregular rhythms.
Syphilis test: A false positive result of a syphilis test can show the anti-phospholipid antibodies in blood, which is indication of the lupus. The occurrence of anti-phospholipid antibodies means increased chances of blood clots, recurrent miscarriages and strokes.

Treatment of the Lupus

Lupus symptoms vary in type as well as in severity so treatment is also different for different type of lupus. Treatments may include:

Rest
Physical therapy for muscle weakness
Exercise
Avoiding sun exposure
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin for symptomatic relief
Corticosteroid drugs such as prednisolone for inflammation
Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drugs such as Immuran (azathioprine) and Cytoxan (cycyclophosphamide) are prescribed with vital organs are involved and/or corticosteroids aren't effective
Antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine for rashes, arthritis and malaise