What is one of the first signs of lupus?

You may get rashes on any part of your body that is exposed to the sun, such as your face, arms, and hands. One common sign of lupus is a red, butterfly-shaped rash across the nose and cheeks. Chest pain. Lupus can trigger inflammation in the lining of the lungs.

What are the first warning signs of lupus?

How does lupus usually start?

Lupus occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. This attack causes inflammation, and in some cases permanent tissue damage, which can be widespread – affecting the skin, joints, heart, lung, kidneys, circulating blood cells, and brain.

What organ does lupus affect first?

Kidneys About one half of people with lupus experience kidney involvement, and the kidney has become the most extensively studied organ affected by lupus. Lungs About 50% of people with SLE will experience lung involvement during the course of their disease.

What part of the body hurts with lupus?

Muscle and joint pain.

You may experience pain and stiffness, with or without swelling. This affects most people with lupus. Common areas for muscle pain and swelling include the neck, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms.

5 Early Signs of Lupus

What is the most common treatment for lupus?

Who is most at risk for lupus?

Who is at risk for SLE? SLE can affect people of all ages, including children. However, women of childbearing ages—15 to 44 years—are at greatest risk of developing SLE. Women of all ages are affected far more than men (estimates range from 4 to 12 women for every 1 man).

How to avoid lupus?

Prevention Tips

Exposure to UV rays from sunlight and other light sources can trigger flares in many people with lupus. Staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., applying sunscreen every day, and wearing sun-protective clothing can prevent UV rays from triggering a lupus flare.

What happens if you don't treat lupus?

If lupus is not diagnosed early and properly treated, organ damage may occur. Many people with active lupus feel poor in general and experience fever, weight loss and tiredness. People with lupus also develop specific problems when the immune system attacks a particular organ or area in the body.

Where is lupus most commonly found?

Lupus is two to three times more prevalent among African American, Hispanic/Latina, Asian American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander women than among White women. Recent research indicates that lupus affects 1 in 537 young African American women.

Can stress cause lupus?

Although doctors haven't proven that stress is a direct cause of lupus, it's known to trigger flare-ups in people who already have the disease. Stressful events that can make symptoms worse include: A death in the family.

Can lupus go away on its own?

There is currently no cure for lupus nor does lupus go away on its own.

What are the symptoms of lupus in a woman?

What does Mild lupus look like?

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.

What blood tests show lupus?

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test.

A positive test for the presence of these antibodies — produced by your immune system — indicates a stimulated immune system. While most people with lupus have a positive ANA test, most people with a positive ANA do not have lupus.

What vitamins are good for lupus?

Vitamins. Vitamin E, zinc, vitamin A, and the B vitamins are all beneficial in a lupus diet. Vitamin C can increase your ability to absorb iron and is a good source of antioxidants.

Why do people get lupus?

Sunlight, stress, smoking, certain medicines, and viruses may trigger symptoms in people who are most likely to get lupus due to their genes. Hormones such as estrogen. Lupus is more common in women during their childbearing years when estrogen levels are highest.

What vitamins should I avoid with lupus?

People with lupus should avoid certain supplements, including echinacea, spirulina, and vitamin E. These supplements may increase the immune system response and trigger lupus symptoms. It is also helpful to avoid excess sun exposure, salt, and alfalfa sprouts, which may also make symptoms worse.

Should I be worried about having lupus?

If your symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are mild or well-controlled, you may find it barely affects your day-to-day life and that you do not have any complications. However, for some people, SLE can be a more serious condition that can cause life-threatening complications.

What causes lupus to worsen?

What can trigger a lupus flare? Emotional stress -- such as a divorce, death in the family, or other life complications -- and anything that causes physical stress to the body -- such as surgery, physical harm, pregnancy, or giving birth -- are examples of triggers that can set off lupus or bring about a lupus flare.

What foods help cure lupus?

There are no foods that cause lupus or that can cure it. Still, good nutrition is an important part of an overall treatment plan for the disease. In general, people with lupus should aim for a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

How can I fight lupus without medication?

Where is the best place to be treated for lupus?

Contact your local Lupus Foundation of America Chapter, the American College of Rheumatology, local hospitals, a university medical center, or look online for names of doctors near you who specialize in caring for people with lupus.

Is lupus worse at night?

Your pain may increase as the condition advances, especially at night. NSAIDs will probably be your doctor's first go-to meds to relieve pain. Advanced cases of AVN will likely need to be treated with surgery, such as with artificial joint replacement, to ease pain and help restore movement.