Introduction
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect every organ system in your body, including your skin, joints, kidneys, heart and lungs. It’s often referred to as “the great imitator” because it mimics other diseases and conditions. That’s why it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose lupus at first. Dr Lane Sebring says, if you recognize the signs of lupus early on and seek treatment from a qualified physician, you may be able to manage this disease successfully for years to come.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissue.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissue. In lupus, the immune system mistakenly identifies healthy cells as foreign and dangerous. This can lead to inflammation and damage in various parts of your body, such as your joints or kidneys.
Lupus can affect any organ in the body–including your skin, heart, lungs, brain and blood vessels–but it most often affects joints (arthritis), kidneys (nephritis) or blood cells (anemia).
Lupus can affect every organ system in your body, including your skin, joints, kidneys, heart and lungs.
Lupus can affect every organ system in your body, including your skin, joints, kidneys, heart and lungs. In some cases it may also affect the brain and nervous system.
The most common type of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Signs and symptoms vary depending on where the disease affects your body:
Symptoms of lupus may include joint pain and inflammation, unexplained weight loss or gain, fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath.
Lupus can affect different parts of your body and cause a variety of symptoms. Symptoms may include joint pain and inflammation, unexplained weight loss or gain (without dieting), fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath.
Other signs that you might have lupus include:
- Skin rashes on different areas of your body–usually on the face or neck but sometimes all over the body; these rashes can come and go over time. They’re usually red in color but can also be purple-colored patches that look like bruises. They often itch or burn slightly when touched by clothing or bed sheets;
- Hair loss due to hair follicles being damaged by inflammation in the scalp area;
- Swollen glands near joints such as wrists/ankles & knees that are painful to touch;
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of this chronic autoimmune disease can help you get treatment sooner.
When you have lupus, your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues. The symptoms of this chronic autoimmune disease can range from mild to severe. If you’re experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor about getting tested for lupus:
- Joint pain and inflammation
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness) that doesn’t improve with rest
- Chest pain when taking deep breaths or coughing; shortness of breath on exertion
Conclusion
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissue. Lupus can affect every organ system in your body, including your skin, joints, kidneys, heart and lungs. Symptoms of lupus may include joint pain and inflammation, unexplained weight loss or gain, fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of this chronic autoimmune disease can help you get treatment sooner.
