Lupus Symptoms

Identifying Lupus in its Early Stages – Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For

One of the unique aspects of Lupus is that no two cases of the disorder are alike. However, patients experience some similar signs and symptoms. Some of these symptoms are barely noticeable, but a combination of several of these symptoms should be a cause for concern.

Here is a brief overview of common symptoms of Lupus.

  • Fatigue

Most of the people suffering from Lupus experience varying degrees of fatigue. This makes it difficult for patients to go about their everyday work, and some opt to sleep it off; sleeping actually works for some patients. However, too much sleep during the day often causes insomnia.

  • Skin rash

Approximately half of all people suffering from Lupus experience skin rashes and lesions. The rashes are particularly unique; they are butterfly-shaped and mostly affect the cheeks and the bridge on the nose. The rashes appear and disappear randomly, and exposure to sunlight seems to trigger their appearance.

  • Joint pains

Joint pain also ranks among the most common symptoms of Lupus. Interestingly, the pain tends to occur mostly in the mornings. Additionally, the pain is often coupled with swelling and stiffness. Physicians have blamed inflammation around joints for the pain and swelling.

Joint pains are mild during the disease’s early stages, but they become more severe as the disease progresses. Pain relief medications and Lupus supplements may help, but it is recommended to consult a doctor if the pain is exceedingly severe.

  • Hair loss

Hair loss ranks among the most common and earliest signs of Lupus; it is so common that it has been labeled Lupus hair. Lupus hair feels brittle, breaks easily, and has a rugged appearance. It may break at the clump in some cases, but it mostly thins out slowly. What’s more, it may also affect beards, eyelashes, eyebrows, and other body hair.

  • Dry mouth and eyes

Lupus often triggers another auto-immune disease known as Sjogren’s disease. This disease often causes drying of the mouth and eyes as Sjogren’s disease affects glands responsible for producing saliva and tears. In some cases, women patients may also experience a dry skin and vagina.

  • Chest pains

Lupus also affects the pulmonary system on many levels, including the lungs and diaphragm. The condition inflames the lungs, and the swelling often extends to surrounding blood vessels. Over time, the inflammation may cause the lungs to shrink in size, which results in shortness of breath.

Damage to the pulmonary system is characterized by chest pains when breathing deeply; the condition is referred to as pleutric chest pain.