Early Symptoms of Lupus to Watch For

In this article, we will explore important facts about lupus that will help you understand this disease better.

Let’s learn together about lupus and key facts you should know about it through the following article:

What is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs. When we say chronic, it means that the symptoms of lupus may persist in the patient for a long period, often exceeding 6 weeks and sometimes lasting for years.

The disease occurs when the immune system, which is responsible for protecting the body against viruses, bacteria, and germs, malfunctions. Here’s what happens:

The immune system typically produces antibodies that protect the body from invaders.
Due to the malfunction, the immune system becomes confused, unable to differentiate between harmful and harmless substances. This leads to the production of antibodies that attack the body’s tissues, causing damage.
As a result, the body starts attacking itself, which is why lupus is categorized as an autoimmune disease, leading to symptoms such as inflammation and pain.

Causes of Lupus

The exact causes of lupus remain unknown. There is no single known factor responsible for the onset of the disease, but it is believed to occur due to a combination of various factors, such as:

Environmental factors, such as smoking, stress, and exposure to toxins like silica dust.
Genetic and hereditary factors.
Hormonal imbalances, such as increased levels of estrogen.
Viral infections that may trigger the disease.
Long-term use of certain medications.

Symptoms of Lupus

The symptoms of lupus vary from person to person, but the most common ones include:

Joint pain and swelling.
Arthritis.
Muscle pain.
Unexplained fever.
A red rash that usually appears on the face.
Chest pain when taking a deep breath.
Hair loss.
Pale or purple fingers.
Sensitivity to sunlight.
Swelling in the feet or around the eyes.
Swollen lymph nodes.
Extreme fatigue.
Mouth ulcers.
Loss of appetite and weight loss.
Headaches.

It is important to note that these symptoms tend to fluctuate, sometimes easing and sometimes worsening, and may appear at any time.

Treatment for Lupus: Is It Available?

While there is no clear cure for lupus, making certain lifestyle changes can help manage the disease effectively.

Lupus patients often need care from multiple specialists, with each doctor managing the symptoms that fall under their expertise. For example, if the disease affects the cardiovascular system, the patient will need to see a cardiologist.

Doctors work to develop a treatment plan that fits the patient’s symptoms and condition, and this plan may need adjustments over time, depending on how the disease presents itself.

The goal of the treatment plan is to:

Reduce the severity of symptoms and the possibility of sudden flare-ups.
Minimize damage to various organs and body parts.

The treatment plan may include medications that:

Relieve pain and swelling.
Reduce the frequency of sudden symptom flare-ups.
Regulate the immune system’s activity.
Prevent further damage to joints and organs.
Maintain hormone levels within their natural range.
Reduce the risk of infection.

In addition to lupus-specific medications, patients may also need treatment for complications or symptoms that arise due to the disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and various inflammations.

Additional Facts About Lupus

Here are some other important facts about lupus that you should know:

Lupus is Not Contagious Lupus is a non-contagious disease. In other words, you cannot catch the disease from someone who has it, and even if you have lupus, you won’t transmit it to others, even to a spouse. However, in rare cases, women with lupus may give birth to children who have a form of lupus.
No Link Between Lupus and Cancer Lupus and cancer are entirely different diseases, with no connection between them. While cancer develops from malignant cells that grow and spread rapidly in surrounding tissues, lupus is an autoimmune disease, as mentioned earlier. However, treatments for both diseases may overlap, such as the use of immunosuppressive drugs found in chemotherapy for cancer patients, which are also used in lupus treatment.
No Link Between Lupus and HIV/AIDS There is no relationship between lupus and HIV/AIDS. In HIV/AIDS, the immune system is weakened and nearly inactive, whereas in lupus, the immune system is overactive, producing antibodies that attack both harmful and harmless substances.
Varied Severity of Lupus Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening. However, with appropriate treatment, many lupus patients lead normal lives.
At-Risk Groups Lupus is most commonly found in women of childbearing age, but it can also affect men, children, and teenagers. Typically, the disease manifests in people aged 15 to 44 years. Lupus does not discriminate by race, but the incidence is higher among women of non-Caucasian descent compared to Caucasian women.