Lupus Symptoms – What You Need To Know

Lupus Symptoms – What You Need To Know

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people around the world. It’s a chronic condition that can cause damage to various part of the body including the skin, joints and internal organs.                                                                                        In the blog post, I’ll discuss the most common Lupus symptoms and how to recognize them.

Lupus Symptoms

The symptoms of Lupus varied and can be different for each person. So, my symptoms may not be your symptoms. However, some of the most common types include:

Fatigue – This is a feeling of extreme tiredness or weakness that last for an extended period of time. About 80% of people experience fatigue as one of their main symptoms. This is not the same fatigue that regular people experience. With extreme fatigue it can make it difficult to perform daily activities and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

Joints pain and swelling – The hands, knees and wrists are often affected. The pain can be mild to severe and can be accompanied by limited mobility and stiffness.

Skin rash – This is one of the early and most visible symptoms. It’s a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, which is typically aggravated by sunlight.

Photosensitivity – People living with lupus are often sensitive to sunlight and can develop a skin rash or flare-up after being out in the sun. This can be managed by using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, wearing protective clothing and avoid being in the sun during peak hours.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon – This is a condition that causes the fingers and toes to turn blue or white when exposed to cold temperature.

Shortness of breath – People with lupus can experience difficulty breathing, which can be caused by inflammation of the heart, lungs or blood vessels.

Chest pain – Pain or discomfort in the chest which may be mistaken for a heart attack. This is also a feeling some people experience when they swallow food, especially when it’s on the harder side.

Fever – This is a low-grade fever you get for no reason and can last for several days and is a common symptom for lupus flares.

Kidney damage – Lupus can cause inflammation of the kidneys, leading to kidney damage or failure. Symptoms of kidney problems include swelling of the legs and feet, changes in urine output and high blood pressure.

Hair loss – This is another early symptom of lupus. It’s thinning of of the hair. Some people lose their hair in big clumps while some lose theirs at a slower pace.

If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have lupus. However, it is important to talk to your doctor if you are constantly experiencing these symptoms.

Lupus is challenging and difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic other chronic diseases. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. By doing this, you can manage your symptoms and prevent further complications. Don’t ever hesitate to speak your doctor if you ever need help and also learn to advocate for yourself if and when you have to.