10 Early Signs of Lupus 紅斑狼瘡
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that may impact any organ in your body. Early signs include a butterfly-shaped skin rash on the face, fatigue, hair loss, and pulmonary and kidney problems.
Symptoms of lupus typically start in early adulthood between ages 15-44Trusted Source. However, early signs and symptoms may be hard to detect because they’re similar to those of other conditions.
Lupus symptoms vary in severity and affect everyone differently.
Flare-ups are when symptoms get worse, while remission is when they improve for a period of time.
Keep reading to learn more about the early signs and symptoms of lupus.
Your fever may hover somewhere between 98.5˚F (36.9˚C) and 101˚F (38.3˚C), so you might not think to see a doctor. People with lupus may experience this type of fever off and on.
A low grade fever could be a symptom of inflammation, infection, or imminent flare-up. If you have recurrent, low grade fevers, make an appointment with a doctor.
It may be caused by taking certain medications, infection, or inflammation of the skin and scalp. You may lose hair by the clump. However, hair typically thins out more slowly.
Lupus treatment usually results in renewed hair growth. But hair loss in those areas may be permanent if you develop lesions on your scalp.
Other early signs of lupus that may affect your skin include:
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According to the LFA, lupus nephritistypically affects people ages 20-40 and starts within 5 years of initial lupus symptoms. However, it affects children as well and is often severe.
Symptoms include:
Speak with a doctor if you’re living with fatigue that interrupts your everyday life. Some causes of fatigue can be treated.
According to the LFA, the most common symptom is severe, sharp chest pain when you:
According to the LFA, this may cause:
Like other symptoms of lupus, joint problems can flare up and then go away.
Speak with a doctor about your painful, swollen joints. They’ll be able to develop a proper treatment plan for you.
Some ways to help manage and prevent symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn include:
The thyroid helps control your metabolism. A poorly functioning thyroid may affect vital organs like your brain and heart, and it could lead to symptoms like:
Some people with lupus may develop Sjögren’s, which is an autoimmune disorder. This condition causes the glands responsible for tears and saliva to malfunction, and lymphocytes can accumulate in the glands.
In some cases, lupus and Sjögren’s may also cause vaginal dryness.
It’s important to speak with a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. They’ll be able to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
What is lupus?
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. The resulting inflammation can cause pain and damage in almost any part of the body.
Lupus affects each person differently. Most people experience episodes of disease activity (flares), followed by periods with no symptoms.
The Lupus Foundation of Americaestimates that more than 1.5 million Americans are living with lupus. There are more than 16,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Worldwide, there may be as many as 5 million people with lupus. Anyone can get this disease, but it’s most likely to appear in women between the ages of 15 and 44.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
Some people with lupus have Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition that causes your fingers and toes to turn blue or white when you’re cold or stressed.
Early warning signs of an impending flare include increasing fatigue, rash, and fever.
Lupus can produce changes in your behavior if it causes inflammation in your brain or central nervous system. It can affect your memory, making it difficult to express yourself. It can even lead to depression. In some cases, it can cause hallucinations.
Some people with lupus experience:
Lupus can cause inflammation in the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Symptoms include chest pain and heart murmurs.
Inflammation in the lungs and chest cavity can make it painful to take a deep breath. Inflammation in the chest cavity lining is known as pleuritis. Lupus increases your risk for developing pneumonia.
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, about 40 percent of people with lupus will develop kidney problems, increasing their risk for kidney failure. Inflammation in the kidneys (lupus nephritis) can make it hard for your kidneys to filter waste and toxins from your body.
Symptoms of kidney damage include:
People with lupus may develop an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Lupus can also affect pregnancy, increasing the risk of complications like high blood pressure, miscarriage, and premature birth.
Lupus is a chronic disease with no known cure. However, there are many types of treatment, depending on how lupus affects you. With ongoing care, many people with lupus live full, active lives.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that may impact any organ in your body. Early signs include a butterfly-shaped skin rash on the face, fatigue, hair loss, and pulmonary and kidney problems.
Symptoms of lupus typically start in early adulthood between ages 15-44Trusted Source. However, early signs and symptoms may be hard to detect because they’re similar to those of other conditions.
Lupus symptoms vary in severity and affect everyone differently.
Flare-ups are when symptoms get worse, while remission is when they improve for a period of time.
Keep reading to learn more about the early signs and symptoms of lupus.
1. Unexplained fever
Low grade fever for no apparent reason is an early sign of lupus.Your fever may hover somewhere between 98.5˚F (36.9˚C) and 101˚F (38.3˚C), so you might not think to see a doctor. People with lupus may experience this type of fever off and on.
A low grade fever could be a symptom of inflammation, infection, or imminent flare-up. If you have recurrent, low grade fevers, make an appointment with a doctor.
2. Hair loss
Hair loss such as thinning hair and bald spots on the scalp are common symptomsTrusted Source of lupus.It may be caused by taking certain medications, infection, or inflammation of the skin and scalp. You may lose hair by the clump. However, hair typically thins out more slowly.
Lupus treatment usually results in renewed hair growth. But hair loss in those areas may be permanent if you develop lesions on your scalp.
3. Skin rash or lesions
One of the most visible symptoms of lupus is a butterfly-shaped (malar) rash that appears over the bridge of the nose and on both cheeks. It affects 1 in 2 peoplewith lupus and may occur suddenly or appear after exposure to sunlight, according to the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA).Other early signs of lupus that may affect your skin include:
- swollen eyelids
- swelling around one or both eyes
- thick, scaly patches of skin anywhere on the body
- discolored spots
- mouth sores
- scaly rash on the skin that’s exposed to the sun
4. Kidney inflammation
People with lupus can develop a kidney inflammation called nephritis. Inflammation makes it harder for your kidneys to filter toxins and waste from the blood.According to the LFA, lupus nephritistypically affects people ages 20-40 and starts within 5 years of initial lupus symptoms. However, it affects children as well and is often severe.
Symptoms include:
- swelling in the lower legs and feet
- high blood pressure
- blood in your urine
- darker urine
- having to urinate more frequently at night
- pain in your side
5. Fatigue
Up to 90%Trusted Source of people with lupus experience some level of fatigue. Although an afternoon nap does the trick for some people, sleeping too much during the day can lead to insomnia at night.Speak with a doctor if you’re living with fatigue that interrupts your everyday life. Some causes of fatigue can be treated.
6. Pulmonary issues
Lupus may cause pleurisy, which is inflammation of the pleura. This is the tissue that protects and cushions your lungs.According to the LFA, the most common symptom is severe, sharp chest pain when you:
- breathe
- laugh
- cough
- sneeze
7. Painful, swollen joints
Inflammation may cause pain, stiffness, and visible swelling in your joints, particularly in the morning. It may be mild at first and gradually become more obvious.According to the LFA, this may cause:
Like other symptoms of lupus, joint problems can flare up and then go away.
Speak with a doctor about your painful, swollen joints. They’ll be able to develop a proper treatment plan for you.
8. Gastrointestinal problems
Some people with lupus experience occasional heartburn, acid reflux, or other gastrointestinal problems.Some ways to help manage and prevent symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn include:
- over-the-counter antacids
- eating smaller, more frequent meals
- avoiding acidic drinks, such as coffee
- elevating the head of your bed when you sleep
9. Thyroid problems
People with lupus are at a higher riskTrusted Source of developing thyroid disease.The thyroid helps control your metabolism. A poorly functioning thyroid may affect vital organs like your brain and heart, and it could lead to symptoms like:
- weight gain or loss
- dry skin and hair
- moodiness
10. Dry mouth, dry eyes
Dry mouth and gritty, dry eyes are early signs of lupus.Some people with lupus may develop Sjögren’s, which is an autoimmune disorder. This condition causes the glands responsible for tears and saliva to malfunction, and lymphocytes can accumulate in the glands.
In some cases, lupus and Sjögren’s may also cause vaginal dryness.
Other symptoms
Other symptoms of lupus may include:- oral ulcers
- enlarged lymph nodes
- muscle pain
- chest pain
- osteoporosis
- depression
- anemia
- dizziness
- seizures
Frequently asked questions
What are the early signs of lupus in females?
Approximately 9 out of 10 peopleTrusted Sourceaffected by lupus are female. Early signs of lupus in females may include:- fatigue
- hair loss
- sensitivity to sunlight
- unexplained fever
- joint pain and swelling
Takeaway
Early signs and symptoms of lupus vary for each person and may affect different parts of the body. While new symptoms can appear, others often disappear.It’s important to speak with a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. They’ll be able to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Lupus Signs and Symptoms
What is lupus?
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. The resulting inflammation can cause pain and damage in almost any part of the body.
Lupus affects each person differently. Most people experience episodes of disease activity (flares), followed by periods with no symptoms.
The Lupus Foundation of Americaestimates that more than 1.5 million Americans are living with lupus. There are more than 16,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Worldwide, there may be as many as 5 million people with lupus. Anyone can get this disease, but it’s most likely to appear in women between the ages of 15 and 44.
What are the common symptoms of lupus?
There’s a huge variation in symptoms from person to person. Symptoms can come and go, and they range from very mild to quite severe. While some symptoms can disappear and never return, others can become permanent.Some of the most common symptoms include:
- dry eyes
- mouth ulcers
- fatigue
- fever
- loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss
- shortness of breath
- joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain
- swollen glands
- muscle pain
- chest pain when you take a deep breath
- hair loss
- sun sensitivity
Some people with lupus have Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition that causes your fingers and toes to turn blue or white when you’re cold or stressed.
Early warning signs of an impending flare include increasing fatigue, rash, and fever.
What are the complications associated with lupus?
As lupus progresses, inflammation can damage tissue and organs throughout the body.Lupus can produce changes in your behavior if it causes inflammation in your brain or central nervous system. It can affect your memory, making it difficult to express yourself. It can even lead to depression. In some cases, it can cause hallucinations.
Some people with lupus experience:
- headaches
- dizziness
- problems with vision
- seizures
- strokes
Lupus can cause inflammation in the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Symptoms include chest pain and heart murmurs.
Inflammation in the lungs and chest cavity can make it painful to take a deep breath. Inflammation in the chest cavity lining is known as pleuritis. Lupus increases your risk for developing pneumonia.
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, about 40 percent of people with lupus will develop kidney problems, increasing their risk for kidney failure. Inflammation in the kidneys (lupus nephritis) can make it hard for your kidneys to filter waste and toxins from your body.
Symptoms of kidney damage include:
- swelling (edema) of the legs, hands, or eyelids
- puffiness
- weight gain
- dark or foamy urine
- a low number of healthy red blood cells (anemia)
- a low number of white blood cells (leukopenia)
- a low number of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis)
- bleeding
- blood clots
- hardening of the arteries
- swollen joints and glands
- dry skin
- vaginal dryness
- a dry cough
- urinary tract infections
- respiratory infections
- salmonella infections
- yeast infections
- herpes
- shingles
People with lupus may develop an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Lupus can also affect pregnancy, increasing the risk of complications like high blood pressure, miscarriage, and premature birth.
What’s the takeaway?
The exact cause of lupus isn’t clear. Some researchers theorize that it’s a combination of genetics and environmental or hormonal factors.Lupus is a chronic disease with no known cure. However, there are many types of treatment, depending on how lupus affects you. With ongoing care, many people with lupus live full, active lives.
