Lupus is a disease that in many cases is characterized by the distinctive rash that once was thought to resemble a wolf bite. That’s why the disease got the name lupus, the latin word for wolf. However, there are cases when the distinctive rash does not occur, and it was seen that there are not two cases of lupus exactly alike. Signs and symptoms can be permanent or temporary, mild or severe, or they can develop slowly or come suddenly.
Many of the persons with lupus have periods when the disease is getting worse- the so-called flares-, and after that, the disease improves, or even disappears for a while.
Usually, the most common signs and symptoms of lupus develop at intervals, rather than all at once.A skin problem often associated with the disease is a butterfly-shaped rash that develops across the cheeks and bridge of the nose, and this rash can be flat or raised and may be blotchy or completely red in the affected areas.
Some people develop a crusty, red, raised rash which is also called discoid rash on the face, neck, chest or scalp, is usually thick and scaly, may last for days or years and often leaves hypopigmented or hyperpigmented scars. There are other people that develop skin lesions which look at first like small pimples and can turn scaly and itchy and others have large, flat, itchy lesions with clear centers.
A lot of types of glomerulonephritis can appear because of lupus. Glomerulonephritis is a condition that affects the kidneys’ ability to filter toxins, leading to kidney failure. In many cases kidney damage can appear without any warning signs or symptoms, but some of those with kidney problems may develop frothy or tea-colored urine, swelling in their ankles or lower legs, or high blood pressure.Arthritis is another sign of lupus. A lot of patients with lupus can develop joint pain, stiffness and swelling, mainly in their fingers, hands, wrists and knees. Lupus-associated arthritis usually isn’t deforming, comes and goes quickly, and the pain can be severe during a flare.Lupus patients are very sensitive to sunlight, they develop rashes on sun-exposed skin. It was seen that lupus can cause also brain or central nervous system problems, like headaches, seizures, vision problems, dizziness, behavior changes or stroke.Lupus can also cause lung problems, like pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the chest cavity lining that can produce sharp stabbing chest pain, and also heart problems, mucosal ulcers, and blood vessels disorders.
There are also other signs and symptoms that can appear and are not specific to lupus.
Fatigue, which is an ongoing, extreme exhaustion that’s usually not relieved by rest can appear, also there can show up an unexplained fever, Raynaud’s phenomenon- a condition in which your fingers, toes, nose and ears turn pale and numb when exposed to cold temperatures-, digestive problems- like abdominal pain, weight loss nausea and vomiting-, hair loss, depression and swelling.
So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about systemic lupus please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com
Tags: lupus, signs, systemic lupus symptoms, systemic lupus symptoms and signs
Could I have Lupus?
have many symptoms of Systemic Lupus, and AutoImmune diseases run in the female side of my family…for instance; my Mother had Fibromyalgia, my Grand Mother has Arthritis, and my Great Grandmother had Lupus (she died), and that is as far back as I can trace…I will not go into my symptoms right now, but I will say I have just about every symptom and sign, beginning almost 2 years ago (I am now 15). I orginially though I had arthritis and a gastrointestinal disease, so I have been seeing a gastrointestinal doctor who has put me through many tests, and nothing shows except some inflamation, and swollen glands/lymph nodes…she is referring me to a rheumatologist (I know I should have seen one in the first place).
How common would it be for me to have Lupus if AutoImmune diseases run in the family, and my Great Grandmother had Lupus, and I have 75%+ symptoms and signs?
My Sedimentation Rate (Sed-Rate) has been continuosly increasing, and I do not have food allergies.
I have my thyroid checked out on a regular basis, because everyone in my family, and relatives has Hypo/Hyper-Thyroidism and even Hoshimoto’s except me and my Dad…I do not have thyroid problems that are known, thank you for your advice
It’s very possible for you to have this, especially with your symptoms . Genetics play a big role in what diseases we get. With your Sed Rate increasing you have quite a battle going on with inflammation. It’s possible that you have Fibromyalgia as well.
I’ve written an article on Fibromyalgia, which can help you learn more about how to take care of yourself. The methods in it are equal to what you would do with lupus.