The early symptoms of lupus are especially difficult to link to the disease because the symptoms vary so much from person to person. Lupus is an autoimmune disease where 90% of its victims are women. An autoimmune condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills healthy body tissue. The cause of lupus is not specified, although genes likely play a large part. Things that are known to trigger lupus for the first time and in subsequent flare-ups are sunlight and viruses like monkey.
The most common early symptoms of lupus are fatigue, joint pain, and skin rashes. Fatigue is often the initial wake-up call for lupus, and it usually occurs immediately before a flare as well. Fatigue can be minimal, making you feel like you’re dragging through the day, or it can be so severe that all you can do is sleep. The lupus butterfly rash is probably the best-known early symptom of lupus, as it is really the only exclusive symptom of the actual disease. The butterfly rash goes over the bridge of a person’s nose and spreads down the cheeks.
No lupus test has been developed to diagnose lupus. A doctor will usually monitor your symptoms for a period of time before deciding that you have lupus, so it’s important to see a doctor early so your early symptoms can be monitored and documented. Other tests and labs may be done to see if you have a disease other than lupus. If you think you have lupus, write down your symptoms in a journal, noting how severe they are, when they occurred, and how long they lasted. This record will really help your healthcare professional diagnose your condition.
Most cases of lupus occur in women between the ages of 15 and 40. Lupus is more common in blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Other variables that can lead to lupus are excessive direct sunlight, certain medications that affect the blood, or an Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Lupus can affect many different regions of the body, and some of the destruction can take a long time before it is noticed. Lupus can start inflammation of the kidneys that affects its job of removing poisons from your body. Your kidneys can take a lot of damage before you have noticeable symptoms, which is why it’s so important to schedule professional medical appointments. Lupus can also affect the lungs and heart, creating pain from inflammation and increasing the risk of other cardiovascular problems.
Being diagnosed with lupus can be a daunting ordeal. While the disorder can be alleviated and there are many things you can do to reduce the effects, it is an ongoing condition that you must live with for the rest of your life. Paying attention to your overall health and noting any changes can speed diagnosis of any condition, particularly lupus.
