What are the symptoms?

Lupus is a autoimmune disease chronic and inflammatory.

Can damage any part of the body (skin, joints and/or organs).). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last for more than six weeks and often for many years, but not that it cannot be controlled or stopped.

In lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is our internal doctor and the one that fights viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and any intruders ("foreign invaders", such as the flu).

Normally, the immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means that the immune system, instead of defending us, attacks a certain structure in the body because for some reason, it recognises it as foreign.

In lupus, the immune system creates antibodies that sometimes attack and destroy healthy connective tissue. These auto-antibodies contribute to inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body.

There are several common types of lupus.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most severe form of lupus erythematosus.. SLE can affect almost any organ or system in the body, including the blood vessels, muscles, joints, digestive tract, lungs, kidneys, heart and central nervous system.
• Discoid lupus causes a raised, scaly, red rash, usually on the face.The disease can also affect the scalp and neck and can cause scarring.
• Drug-induced lupus is a type of lupus that is caused by prescription drugs.. Symptoms are similar to those of SLE; and once the drug is stopped, symptoms usually stop.
• Neonatal lupus is a rare disease that can affect some newborns of women with SLE or certain other immune system disorders.. These babies may have a heart defect, skin rash, low blood counts and/or liver problems. However, most newborns born to mothers with SLE are born healthy.

Symptoms of lupus vary from person to person. Some people have only a few symptoms; others have more. Lupus symptoms also tend to come and go. Lupus is a disease of flares (symptoms get worse and you feel sick) and remissions (symptoms get better and you feel better).

The common symptoms of lupus are:

• joint pain and stiffness, with or without inflammation
• muscle aches, pains or weakness
• Fever with no known cause
• A lot of fatigue
• Butterfly-shaped rash over the nose and cheeks
• Other skin rashes
• unusual weight loss or weight gain
• Anaemia (too few red blood cells)
• Difficulty in thinking, memory problems, confusion
• Kidney problems with no known cause
• Chest pain with deep breathing
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Hair loss
• Purple or pale toes

The less common symptoms include:

• Blood clots
• Seizures
• mouth or nose sores (usually painless)
• Severe headache
• Dizziness
• Not being able to judge reality
• Feeling sad
• Strokes
• dry or irritated eyes

Biosalud specialises in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Moreover, one of the reasons that led to the expansion of the facilities in terms of surface area and health category, to Day Hospital, is to be able to incorporate the latest techniques for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as therapeutic apheresis and body hyperthermia.