Lupus – Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Diagnosis

Lupus – Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Diagnosis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune condition. Here, the body’s immune system, which is supposed to fight infections, begins attacking healthy tissues and organs. This causes pain and inflammation. One may also experience symptoms like skin sensitivity, joint pains, rashes, and issues with internal organs like the kidneys, heart, and lungs. The condition does not have a cure, however, treatment options can help one manage its symptoms.

Symptoms
Here are a few symptoms one should recognize:

Fatigue
Most people with lupus experience fatigue, which can worsen with muscle and joint pain. Many may experience stiffness and swelling in the neck, thigh, and arms. While getting adequate sleep can relieve general exhaustion, when fatigue is accompanied by some sort of pain and discomfort, one should consult a doctor.

Skin rashes
The most common and prominent symptom of this disease is a butterfly-shaped rash on both cheeks and the nose bridge. Around 30% of people affected by lupus experience this symptom. The rash may appear suddenly before a flare-up or right after excessive sun exposure. For some, the condition also causes hives and non-itchy lesions all over the body. Some may notice discoloration in their toes or fingers. 

Hair loss
Hair loss and thinning hair are early signs of lupus.

Popular Articles

01

Avoid These 12 Triggers to Manage Lupus

A chronic autoimmune condition, lupus affects millions of people around the world. It is a disease wherein the immune system is triggered to attack the healthy tissues causing increased inflammation, pain, and damage to different organs and body parts. Different people experience varying symptoms in varying degrees, including skin rashes, joint pain, fever, fatigue, and problems related to kidneys. Although there is no cure for the condition, it is essential to manage it with the help of lifestyle changes and proper treatment. Sun exposure Prolonged sun or UV light exposure is among the most common causes of flare-ups and worsening symptoms in lupus patients. The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight cause joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue in lupus patients. Some treatments for the condition also increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. To protect against any damage from the sun, people with lupus are advised to wear protective clothing like hats, long-sleeved shirts, and full-length pants. It is also essential not to skip board spectrum sunscreens as they can help prevent sun damage. Remember to use sun protection with a minimum SPF of 30. Stress Stress is a common trigger for lupus and can worsen its symptoms. When the body is stressed, it releases hormones that can increase inflammatory levels and further weaken the immune system.
Read More
02

Colon cancer – Symptoms and risk factors

Cancer that begins in the large intestine is known as colon cancer. Although it can affect people of any age, it occurs more frequently in older adults. Symptoms for colon cancer may not appear until the disease progresses to the second stage or later. However, recognizing some early warning signs can help with the early diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer. Treatments for this condition will vary by the stage and type of colon cancer. Signs and symptoms of colon cancer Stage 0 This is the earliest stage of colon cancer, where the abnormal cells are only noticed in the lining of the colon. It is also known as carcinoma in situ. Most people may not notice any symptoms during this stage of cancer. However, some early warning signs to watch out for include: Narrow ribbon-like stools Rectal bleeding that is bright or dark red Tenesmus, or a feeling of heaviness or having to pass stool, but nothing passes Anemia Persistent abdominal pain Stage 1 By this stage, the cancer has penetrated the lining of the colon or rectum and affected the muscle. However, it has not yet reached the lymph nodes or other body parts. Common symptoms one may notice during this stage include:
Read More
03

7 Medical Conditions That Can Trigger Hair Loss

It is normal to lose fifty to one hundred hairs per day. This suggests that new hair is replacing the existing hair as the hair goes through its natural growth cycle. Alopecia, which is another name for hair loss, however, denotes a more serious health condition where a person loses more than a hundred strands every day. Here are several underlying diseases that may be the cause of the hair loss. What are the indications of severe hair loss? Hair loss caused by illnesses can appear in different ways. For some, the signs may appear suddenly, and for others, they may only be visible over a period. Some general signs include: Bald patches on the scalp Broken hair Redness or swelling on the scalp Sudden thinning of hair Loss of hair in the beard, eyebrows, or elsewhere in the body Which diseases trigger hair loss? Here are some health conditions that may trigger hair loss in some people: Lupus Lupus is an autoimmune condition in which one’s immune system cannot differentiate between the body’s healthy cells and the foreign bodies and begins attacking them. Hair loss is one of the most common signs of lupus and occurs when the inflammation affects the scalp.
Read More