Lupus Symptoms

Lupus is a problematic and chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when the immune system of the body attacks the tissues and organs within the body. This complex autoimmune disease adversely affects the different body systems and its functioning. Lupus symptoms may be different in different cases and this infection tends to cause inflammation in the different systems. The different body systems that may be affected by this infection include skin, blood cells, heart, lungs, skin and joints.

Lupus and the related lupus symptoms tend to affect women more frequently. There are four kinds or types of lupus and these include lupus erythematosus, drug induced lupus erythematosus, neonatal lupus and discoid lupus erythematosus. Among these types systemic lupus erythematosus is quite common and is one of the serious forms of lupus.

Even though there is no definite cure for this condition with timely medical intervention lupus symptoms can be managed and those suffering from this condition can continue to live an active life. Those suffering from this condition often tend to have periods wherein the symptoms remain inactive or when the infection is in remission followed by periods of increased symptoms also known as flares.

The most common lupus symptoms include painful as well as swollen joints, skin rashes, fatigue, kidney problems and unexplained fever. By learning how to manage the symptoms related with this condition people can cope up with this condition in a better way. Discoid lupus erythematosus is characterized by appearance of red and raised rash which tends to appear on scalp, face along with other skin areas. This rash can last for days or even years and can recur and some people diagnosed with discoid lupus also tend to develop systemic lupus erythematosus in the future.

In subacute cutaneaous lupus the skin lesions tend to appear on the sun exposed areas of the body and these lesions do not result in scarring. Other lupus symptoms include excessive loss of hair, sensitivity to sun, mouth ulcers, extreme fatigue, swelling around eyes and legs, swollen glands, fatigue, anemia, chest pain and purple or pale fingers due to cold or stress. Other symptoms include dizziness, depression, seizures and confusion.

Lupus symptoms also affect different body systems and these symptoms include inflammation of kidneys impairing their functioning and affecting their ability to rid the waste products from the body. In some cases those suffering from lupus tend to develop pleuritis which is inflammation of chest cavity lining. This can result in chest pain along with breathing difficulties. In many cases lupus patients also tend to develop pneumonia. In some cases lupus also affects the brain or the central nervous system causing vision problems, dizziness, seizures, behavioral changes etc. Circulation may also be adversely affected due to inflammation of blood vessels. In some cases lupus may result in problems like anemia or leucopenia wherein the white blood cells decrease in number. Other problems that may occur include reduction in platelets also known as thrombocytopenia. Lupus can also result in complications like chest pains and inflammation of heart in some cases. It is therefore crucial to seek timely medical intervention.