Understanding Lupus: Recognizing Key Symptoms & Signs

Lupus is an autoimmune disease affecting the skin, joints, lungs, heart, kidneys, blood and brain. With this disease, the body confuses its own tissues and cells with foreign materials such as viruses and bacteria. A normal working body produces antibodies that fight against these foreign substances. When lupus affects a person, their body produces auto-antibodies. These auto-antibodies attack the body rather than the virus or bacteria. The disease severity and symptoms differ from person to person.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch for swollen or painful joints, skin rash, unexplained fever, swollen glands, fatigue, loss of hair, sun sensitivity, dizziness, depression and confusion.

• 2

  Be aware of the possibility of inflamed kidneys. This symptom implies the kidneys are not ridding themselves of waste. If there are other symptoms present, a healthcare professional will test for kidney disease.

• 3

  Notice memory disturbances or impaired vision. Lupus may affect the central nervous system.

• 4

  Check for lung inflammation. Lupus patients may develop Pleuritis, which is chest lining inflammation. Pneumonia, or lung inflammation due to infection, may also develop.

• 5

  Note any chest pain. Lupus can cause myocarditis, heart muscle inflammation. This disease increases the possibility of atherosclerpsis, or artery hardening.