What are the signs and symptoms of lupus?

Answer 1

I have both Lupus and APS. I don't have all of these symptoms but most of them.

Each person with lupus has slightly different symptoms that can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. However, some of the most common symptoms of lupus include painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, and extreme fatigue. A characteristic red skin rash-the so-called butterfly or malar rash-may appear across the nose and cheeks. Rashes may also occur on the face and ears, upper arms, shoulders, chest, and hands. Because many people with lupus are sensitive to sunlight (called photosensitivity), skin rashes often first develop or worsen after sun exposure.

Common Symptoms of Lupus

-Painful or swollen joints and muscle pain
-Unexplained fever
-Red rashes, most commonly on the face
-Chest pain upon deep breathing
-Unusual loss of hair
-Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress (Raynaud's phenomenon)
-Sensitivity to the sun
-Swelling (edema) in legs or around eyes
-Mouth ulcers
-Swollen glands
-Extreme fatigue

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time.

Other symptoms of lupus include chest pain, hair loss, anemia (a decrease in red blood cells), mouth ulcers, and pale or purple fingers and toes from cold and stress. Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, depression, confusion, or seizures. New symptoms may continue to appear years after the initial diagnosis, and different symptoms can occur at different times. In some people with lupus, only one system of the body, such as the skin or joints, is affected. Other people experience symptoms in many parts of their body. Just how seriously a body system is affected varies from person to person. The following systems in the body also can be affected by lupus.

-Kidneys: Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) can impair their ability to get rid of waste products and other toxins from the body effectively. There is usually no pain associated with kidney involvement, although some patients may notice swelling in their ankles. Most often, the only indication of kidney disease is an abnormal urine or blood test. Because the kidneys are so important to overall health, lupus affecting the kidneys generally requires intensive drug treatment to prevent permanent damage.
-Lungs: Some people with lupus develop pleuritis, an inflammation of the lining of the chest cavity that causes chest pain, particularly with breathing. Patients with lupus also may get pneumonia.
-Central nervous system: In some patients, lupus affects the brain or central nervous system. This can cause headaches, dizziness, memory disturbances, vision problems, seizures, stroke, or changes in behavior.
-Blood vessels: Blood vessels may become inflamed (vasculitis), affecting the way blood circulates through the body. The inflammation may be mild and may not require treatment or may be severe and require immediate attention.
-Blood: People with lupus may develop anemia, leukopenia (a decreased number of white blood cells), or thrombocytopenia (a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, which assist in clotting). Some people with lupus may have an increased risk for blood clots.
-Heart: In some people with lupus, inflammation can occur in the heart itself (myocarditis and endocarditis) or the membrane that surrounds it (pericarditis), causing chest pains or other symptoms. Lupus can also increase the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Answer 2

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Answer 3

The specific symptoms of lupus are caused by inflammation in one or more tissues of the body, and can vary widely from person to person. The following list contains the more common or classic signs and symptoms of lupus. Please note that few people would ever develop all of these conditions. A diagnosis of lupus can be made when at least four are noted in the individual's history one of which should be a laboratory test to confirm the presence of abnormal antibodies.

Pain in the joints of the hands, arms, shoulders, feet, legs, hips or jaws which may move from joint to joint and may be accompanied by swelling, redness and heat

A red rash across the upper cheeks and over the bridge of the nose

An unusual and excessive reaction to sunlight

A red scaly rash on the face, scalp, ears, arms or chest.

Small, usually painless sores found on the moist lining of the nose or mouth.

Chest pain that worsens when breathing or lying down.

Weight gain and swelling of the feet and legs which is caused by decrease in kidney function

Seizures or severe mental illness

A decease in the number of red or white blood cells or platelets.

Presence of certain factors in the blood, specifically the LE cell, anti-native DNA auto antibodies, anti-Sin auto antibodies or a positive test for syphilis. (A falsely positive syphilis test indicates an abnormality in the immune response. There is no relationship between lupus and venereal diseases.)

Presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the blood

The above is not a complete listing of lupus symptoms, however, it does provide sufficient criteria for confirming a diagnosis of lupus

Answer 4

There are several different symptoms of Lupus including:
Fatigue
Joint pain
Skin problems
Sensitivity to light
Nervous system symptoms
Heart problems
Mental health problems
Fever
Changes in weight
Swollen glands
Raynaud's phenomenon
Inflammation of blood vessels

Answer 5

Lupus is very difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are usually very different for different people. One common thing is that ANA test is usually positive.

Answer 6

I have lupus SLE and there are a wide variety of symptoms you would need to have a blood test/ go to www.lupus.org.uk and seek advice I went 4 years without diagnostics. I also have fibromyalgia please ask if I can help further

Answer 7

Sensitivity to the sun butterfly rash over the bridge of the nose that spreads out across the cheeks fatigue dry skin skin swellings general ill feeling.

Answer 8

http://www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/symptom_checker.htm to check your symptoms.

Answer 9

http://www.autoimmune-disease.com/

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/