What are the symptoms?
Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease .
It can damage any part of the body (the 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 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 certain structures in the body because, for some reason, it recognizes them as foreign.
In lupus, the immune system creates antibodies that sometimes attack and destroy healthy connective tissue. These autoantibodies 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 serious form. SLE can affect almost any organ or system in the body, including 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, scalp, and neck, and can cause scarring.
- Drug-induced lupus is a type of lupus caused by prescription medications. The symptoms are similar to those of SLE, and once the medication is discontinued, the symptoms usually stop.
- Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that can affect some newborns of women with SLE or certain other immune system disorders. These babies may have a heart defect, skin rashes, low blood counts, and/or liver problems. However, most newborns of mothers with SLE are born healthy.
The 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 flare-ups (symptoms get worse and you feel sick) and remissions (symptoms improve and you feel better).
Common symptoms of lupus include:
- joint pain and stiffness, with or without inflammation
- muscle aches, pains, or weakness
- Fever of unknown origin
- Extreme fatigue
- Butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks
- Other skin rashes
- unusual weight loss or weight gain
- Anemia (very low red blood cell count)
- Difficulty thinking, memory problems, confusion
- Kidney problems of unknown origin
- Chest pain when taking a deep breath
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Hair loss
- Purple or pale fingers
Less common symptoms include:
- Blood clots
- Seizures
- Sores in the mouth or nose (usually painless)
- Severe headache
- Dizziness
- Inability to judge reality
- Feeling sad
- Strokes
- dry or irritated eyes
Biosalud specializes in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In fact, one of the reasons for expanding the facilities in terms of surface area and healthcare category, to a Day Hospital, is to be able to incorporate the latest techniques for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as therapeutic apheresis and whole-body hyperthermia.
