Overview
When your body’s immune system targets your own tissues and organs, it can lead to autoimmune diseases like lupus. Numerous bodily systems, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs, can be impacted by inflammation brought on by lupus.
Since the signs and symptoms of lupus frequently resemble those of other illnesses, it can be challenging to diagnose. Many, but not all, instances of lupus present with the most characteristic symptom of the disease: a facial rash that unfolds across both cheeks like a butterfly’s wings.
Some people are predisposed to lupus from birth, and it can be brought on by infections, certain medications, or even exposure to sunlight. Although lupus has no known cure, some medications can help manage its symptoms.
Lupus types
Physicians may refer to lupus as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is the most prevalent kind of lupus and indicates that you have lupus all over your body. Other kinds consist of:
- Skin-only lupus is known as cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
- Drug-induced lupus: As a side effect, certain drugs can cause lupus symptoms. Usually transient, it may disappear once you stop taking the drug that caused it.
- Neonatal lupus: Lupus can occasionally be present in newborns. Although they may be at a higher risk, babies born to biological parents who have lupus are not guaranteed to have the disease.
SLE symptoms
Although it mostly affects the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, and nervous system, SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that can impact nearly any organ system. Its course and presentation vary greatly, from fulminant to indolent.
It is important to look into the diagnosis of SLE when a woman of childbearing age presents with the characteristic triad of fever, joint pain, and rash. [2] Nonetheless, any of the following symptoms may appear in male or female patients at any age [3]:
- Constitutional (e.g., weight fluctuations, arthralgia, fever, and weariness)
- Musculoskeletal (such as frank arthritis, myalgia, arthropathy, arthralgia, and avascular necrosis)
- Dermatologic (such as discoid lupus, photosensitivity, and malar rash)
- Renal (e.g., acute nephritic disease, acute or chronic kidney failure)
- Neuropsychiatric (e.g., psychosis, seizures)
Reasons
Lupus is an autoimmune illness that develops when your body’s healthy tissue is attacked by your immune system.
It seems that exposure to environmental triggers for lupus can cause the disease to develop in persons with a hereditary predisposition to it. Among the possible triggers are:
- sunlight. Sunlight exposure can cause lupus skin lesions or cause an allergic reaction in those who are vulnerable.
- infections. Some people may experience a relapse or develop lupus as a result of an infection.
Drugs. Certain blood pressure drugs, anti-seizure medications, and antibiotics can cause lupus. When drug-induced lupus patients quit taking their medicine, they typically recover. In rare cases, symptoms could not go away even after stopping the medication.
Laboratory examinations
Tests for blood and urine may include:
- whole blood count. The quantity of hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells, as well as the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, are measured by this test.
- rate of erythrocyte sedimentation. This blood test calculates how quickly red blood cells sink to the bottom of a tube over one hour.
- Evaluation of the liver and kidneys. Blood tests can evaluate the health of your liver and kidneys. These organs may be impacted by lupus.
- urine analysis. If lupus has impacted your kidneys, a urine sample analysis may reveal an elevated protein level or red blood cells in the urine.
What is the treatment for lupus?
Your doctor will recommend lupus therapies to control your symptoms. The objective is to reduce organ damage and the degree to which lupus interferes with daily life. To help them avoid flare-ups and minimize the intensity of their symptoms during one, the majority of lupus patients require a combination of drugs. You may require:
A medication known as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), hydroxychloroquine, can alleviate lupus symptoms and decrease their progression.
NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: NSAIDs sold over-the-counter (OTC) lessen inflammation and ease discomfort. Consult your provider before using NSAIDs for longer than ten days in a row.
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory prescription drugs.