Lupus involves periodic flare-ups, in which symptoms intensify, and remission, in which symptoms lessen or disappear. The most common symptoms include fatigue, painful and swollen joints, skin rashes—most notably, a butterfly-shaped rash across the face—unexplained fever, and mouth or nose ulcers.
Certain cells and processes of the immune system have been identified as playing a role in lupus. Kidneys About one half of people with lupus experience kidney involvement, and the kidney has become the most extensively studied organ affected by lupus.
A tell-tale sign of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and bridge of the nose. Other common skin problems include sensitivity to the sun with flaky, red spots or a scaly, purple rash on various parts of the body, including the face, neck, and arms. Some people also develop mouth sores.
Lupus can also cause other problems in the abdomen, including peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining) and ascites (a build-up of fluids in the abdomen). Symptoms of peritonitis and ascites include: Abdominal pain and swelling. Nausea and vomiting.
The 11 criteria included were malar rash, discoid rash, photosensitivity, alopecia, Raynaud phenomenon, oral/nasal ulcers, arthritis (non-erosive arthritis involving 2 or more peripheral joints), serositis (pleurisy or pericarditis), renal disease (proteinuria greater than 500 mg daily or cellular RBC, granular, ...
Lupus causes various rashes on your face and body. A butterfly-shaped (malar) face rash is a common sign of the disease. Discoid lupus, a type of cutaneous lupus, causes circular red rashes on your body. Some rashes can scar.
Approximately one-third of all people with lupus experience a condition called Raynaud's phenomenon in which the blood vessels supplying the fingers and toes constrict. The digits of people with Raynaud's are especially susceptible to cold temperatures.
The main symptoms of Sjögren's disease are: Dry mouth. Your tongue and your throat will feel dry and chewing and swallowing may be difficult or painful. Dry eyes. Your eyes may burn or itch or feel as if you have a piece of sand in your eye.
Weight changes — Lupus can sometimes cause weight loss or weight gain. Weight loss may be unintentional and due to decreased appetite or problems with the digestive system (see 'Digestive system' below). It can also be a side effect of some medications used to treat lupus.
The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can cause dry, coarse hair to develop along the hairline. These dry, coarse hairs break off easily, causing the sparse-looking hair known as lupus hair. Other types of hair loss also develop.
Foods that seem to trigger a flare vary greatly from person to person. So a food that causes problems for one person may have no effect on you. Some foods that have been said to make lupus worse include nightshade vegetables, and animal protein. Nightshade vegetables include potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers.
People living with lupus may experience various types of headaches for different reasons. Some of these may include: Migraine: This is a type of moderate to severe headache that may feel like a throbbing pain on one side of the head.
A low white blood cell or platelet count may occur in lupus as well. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This blood test determines the rate at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube in an hour. A faster than normal rate may indicate a systemic disease, such as lupus.
Glossary: Serositis
An inflammation of a serous membrane, such as the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum. Serositis is one of the cardinal findings in connective tissue diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus.
In moderation, caffeine may promote weight loss and improve cognitive function and alertness. The Good …. Along with the broader health benefits of coffee mentioned earlier, consumption might also provide more targeted benefits for those with lupus. Coffee can be anti-inflammatory!
People with lupus can develop red ulcers on the lips, the tongue, and the inside of the mouth. A white halo surrounds these ulcers, and they may or may not cause irritation. Those experiencing a “flare-up” can develop ulcers quite quickly.
Tooth decay was present in 100% of people with active lupus disease and 85% of people with inactive lupus – possibly due to reduced salivary flow or dry mouth, a common development of lupus. People with lupus exhibit more tooth loss than healthy population.
Lupus and the abdomen
Lupus can also cause other problems in the abdomen, including: • Peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining) • Ascites (a build-up of fluids in the abdomen) Symptoms of peritonitis and ascites include abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, vomiting, and fever.