The first signs of a lupus flare can vary from person to person, however there are some common symptoms that tend to be experienced during a lupus flare. Generally, lupus flares start off with an increase in fatigue and the appearance of a butterfly-shaped rash on the face.
Other common signs of a lupus flare include joint pain, chest pain or tightness, light sensitivity, a decrease in platelets (suggesting a decrease in clotting factors), unexplained rashes, hair loss or thinning, and changes in your fingernails.
Other signs can include fevers, chills, headaches, dizziness, decreased appetite, dry mouth, changes in mood, loss of concentration, and general discomfort. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to a doctor as soon as possible to get diagnosis and treatment.
What does the beginning of a lupus flare feel like?
The beginning of a lupus flare can have a variety of symptoms, depending on the individual and their individual experience. Generally, many lupus patients recall a distinctive feeling of fatigue and malaise, with joint pain and swelling being some of the most common symptoms.
Other common symptoms report may include head and muscle aches, chest pain, sensitivity to sunlight, fever, poor appetite, and dry mouth. Symptoms can vary from person to person, with some lupus patients experiencing fatigue for days before any other symptoms become noticeable.
Additionally, some people also experienced a general flu-like feeling with lupus flares. It is important to discuss any experience of flare ups with a health professional as early diagnosis and treatment may help in the management of lupus.
How do you know if a lupus flare is coming?
It can be difficult to tell if a lupus flare is coming, as the symptoms can vary from person to person. Common signs of an oncoming lupus flare include a low-grade fever, fatigue, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, chest pain, aching muscles, headaches, abdominal pain, and difficulty concentrating.
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially following a period of feeling well, it could be a sign of a coming lupus flare. It is important to talk to your doctor about any suspicious symptoms in order to properly monitor them.
Additionally, if your doctor has prescribed medication, it is essential to take it as directed in order to minimize the chances of a flare-up.
How does a lupus flare start?
A lupus flare is when a person’s lupus disease is suddenly worse or active. Lupus flares can include physical, mental/emotional, and/or lab evidence of active lupus. The exact cause of lupus flares is unclear, but triggers are believed to involve physical, environmental, and emotional factors.
Physical triggers of lupus flares include sunlight exposure, fatigue, physical exertion, and certain medications. Environmental triggers of lupus flares include certain infections, exposure to certain chemicals, and temperature changes.
Emotional triggers of lupus flares include stress, anxiety, and depression.
When a lupus flare does occur, the symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the individual. Common symptoms of lupus flares include fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin rashes, fever, and headaches.
These symptoms can last for days, weeks, or months until the flare is resolved. During a lupus flare, it is important to take measures to reduce stress and get plenty of rest in order to help manage symptoms.
Furthermore, it is important to take medications as prescribed by your doctor in order to reduce the risk of long-term damage.
What are daily struggles with lupus?
Living with lupus can be incredibly difficult and can often involve daily struggles. Some of the most common daily struggles experienced by people with lupus include chronic fatigue, pain and joint stiffness, cognitive difficulties, memory problems, depression, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty managing everyday activities.
Chronic fatigue is one of the most difficult of these, as it can leave those affected feeling exhausted and unable to complete basic tasks like cooking or cleaning. Physical pain and joint stiffness can also be a daily struggle, with those affected experiencing a wide range of symptoms that can range from mild to severe.
Cognitive difficulties, such as difficulty concentrating, forgetting names, and difficulty remembering information, can make simple tasks like balancing a checkbook or remembering to take medication more difficult.
Memory problems can make it difficult to keep track of appointments or remember important facts or tasks. Depression is a common symptom of lupus and can make it hard to cope with everyday demands. Difficulty sleeping can also affect those with lupus, as fatigue makes it hard to get a good night’s rest.
Finally, difficulty managing everyday activities like shopping, work, or childcare can all be challenging when living with lupus.
What part of the body hurts with lupus?
Lupus can affect many different parts of the body and cause pain or discomfort in those areas. These can include the joints, such as the wrists, knees, and ankles, as well as the elbows, shoulders, and hips.
Lupus can also cause pain in the chest, abdomen, and neck. Additionally, some people with lupus experience musculoskeletal pain in the back, legs, and upper arm. In addition to physical pain, some people with lupus may experience headaches, facial pain or muscle tenderness.
Skin rashes may also be associated with pain in the affected areas. In some cases, lupus can cause inflammation in the kidneys and other organs, leading to pain and swelling. Lupus can also cause fatigue, which can further contribute to the overall discomfort.
What are the 4 criteria for lupus?
The four criteria used to diagnose lupus are the American College of Rheumatology’s Classification Criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The criteria are divided into four core criteria, both of which must be met for a diagnosis of lupus, as well as 11 supporting criteria, four or more of which must also be met.
The four core criteria are:
1. Malar Rash: A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and bridge of the nose.
2. Discoid Rash: Red, scaly patches on the skin.
3. Photosensitivity: Development of a rash after exposure to the sun.
4. Oral Ulcers: The presence of oral or nasal ulcers.
In addition to the core criteria, lupus can also be diagnosed with the presence of four or more of the 11 supporting criteria, which include things like arthritis, pleurisy, kidney disorder, lesions on the skin, neurological/psychiatric disorder, fever, anemia, low white blood cells, and others.
The criteria are designed to help diagnose lupus in those individuals who may have the four core criteria but can reduce the rate of false diagnoses of lupus in those who don’t have definitively lupus symptoms.
It is important for clinicians to utilize these criteria when determining lupus diagnosis as the symptoms of lupus are often similar to other conditions.
When should you suspect lupus?
You should suspect lupus if you experience any combination of the following common symptoms: fatigue, hair loss, joint pain and swelling, abnormal blood test results, light sensitivity, butterfly-shaped rash on the face, and areas of the skin that turn a reddish color.
Additionally, if you have a family history of lupus, it is important to keep an eye out for any potential lupus-related symptoms, as the condition has been found to be hereditary in some cases. If you notice any of the symptoms listed, be sure to see your doctor for further testing and for an official diagnosis.
What test confirms you have lupus?
Because the symptoms of lupus can be similar to many other medical conditions, a combination of medical tests, an individual’s medical history, and a physical examination are often needed to provide a conclusive diagnosis.
Tests used to diagnose lupus may include:
• Blood and urine tests – to look for antibodies associated with lupus, anemia, and cell counts
• Chest x-rays – to help assess if there is involvement of the lungs
• Kidney and liver function tests – to assess organ function
• Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) – to check for any electrical problems with the heart
• A skin biopsy – to look for lupus-specific skin changes
• Imaging tests – such as MRI, CT scan or ultrasound – to detect organ involvement
Additionally, laboratory testing will often be done to evaluate the extent of a person’s disease. This testing may include anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing, and may help determine which specific type of lupus a person may be experiencing.
ANA is an autoimmune disorder that is present in most people with lupus, so a positive result can provide a helpful indication of lupus.
The American College of Rheumatology has established specific criteria for the diagnosis of lupus. A person must meet at least four of the criteria for at least six weeks to be diagnosed. The criteria include:
• Malar rash
• Discoid rash
• Photosensitivity
• Oral ulcers
• Arthritis
• Serositis (inflammation of the lining around the lungs or heart)
• Kidney disorder
• Neurologic disorder
• Blood disorder (anemia, low white blood count, or low platelets)
• Immunologic disorder (antibodies against double-stranded DNA or antiphospholipid antibodies)
In order to make a diagnosis of lupus, your doctor will use all of these tests in combination to accurately diagnose your condition.
What labs are elevated with lupus?
The most common laboratory abnormality in lupus is an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), as well as high levels of immunoglobulins and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA). Other labs that are commonly elevated include high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), double-stranded DNA antibodies (dsDNA), anti-Smith antibodies (Sm), and anti-double stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA).
In addition, patients with lupus may have elevated levels of complement proteins (particularly C3, C4, CH50, and complement fractions). Elevated levels of uric acid, creatinine, and albumin, as well as low levels of iron, calcium, serum magnesium, and phosphate, may also be seen in patients with lupus.
Finally, there may be elevated levels of liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) as a result of liver involvement in lupus.
What triggers a lupus flare up?
A lupus flare up is an increase in symptoms or newly developing symptoms related to lupus that can last from days to months. It is important to be aware that the severity of lupus symptoms can vary from person to person.
While the exact triggers of lupus flare-ups can be different for each individual, there are some common triggers to be aware of.
One of the most common triggers for a lupus flare up are changes in hormones, especially during the menstrual cycle. Musculoskeletal trauma, such as a soft-tissue injury or overexertion, can also trigger a flare-up.
Other common triggers include sunlight exposure, extreme weather, infections and stress. Other physical, mental and emotional stressors, such as work-related stress, can also trigger a flare-up. It’s important to make note of events that occur prior to lupus flare-ups, so that you can be aware of potential triggers.
Keeping a journal to track possible triggers and symptoms can be helpful in identifying patterns and avoiding flare-ups.
It is worth mentioning that foods high in saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fats have been implicated as potential triggers for lupus flare ups. Eating too much sugar and refined carbohydrates can also lead to an increase in inflammation and can trigger a lupus flare-up.
Finally, consuming too much alcohol and caffeine can also worsen lupus symptoms.
It’s important for those living with lupus to be aware of potential triggers and to take the necessary steps to avoid or manage them.
What should you not do if you have lupus?
If you have lupus, there are a few things that you should avoid doing:
-Avoid overexposure to the sun or UV light, as this can trigger a lupus flare-up. Wear protective clothing, such as hats and long-sleeved shirts and pants, as well as sunscreen with an SPF of at least 35 when you are outdoors.
-Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Both can cause inflammation and can worsen lupus symptoms.
-Avoid taking certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors, anticonvulsants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as they can make your lupus symptoms worse. Talk to your doctor about any medications you’re taking and whether you should stop or reduce your dosage.
-Avoid contact with people who have viruses or infections, as your immune system is already weakened due to lupus, making you more vulnerable to sickness.
-Avoid activities that require prolonged physical exertion or too much stress, as lupus can cause fatigue and can make it difficult for you to recover from prolonged physical strain.
-Avoid unhealthy eating habits, such as skipping meals, eating highly processed food, or drinking sugary beverages. Stick to a nutritious, balanced diet and make sure you are getting adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals.
By following these simple tips, you can help avoid making your lupus symptoms worse and help manage your condition.
How do you cope living with lupus?
Living with lupus can be a challenge, but there are ways to cope. One of the best things to do is to learn as much as you can about lupus and its treatment. Seek out support from family and friends, and build a strong support network of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals to help you manage your condition.
Additionally, adopting healthy lifestyle practices such as proper nutrition and exercise can be beneficial in managing lupus. It is also important to pay attention to your body and its warning signs, as increased stress and fatigue can be easily overlooked.
Lastly, joining a support group or online community with people who share your experiences can help you develop healthy coping strategies and find emotional support.
What does lupus do to the body over time?
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can damage any part of the body, including the skin, joints, and organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. Over time, lupus can cause inflammation in the joints and can lead to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
It can also cause inflammation in the lining of the organ, leading to organ damage. Kidney damage is perhaps the most common side effect of lupus, and can lead to a buildup of waste in the blood, kidney failure, and anemia.
Lupus can also damage the heart, leading to inflammation of the heart muscle and fluid buildup around the heart. It can also cause inflammation of the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing. Additionally, lupus can affect the nervous system and the brain, leading to cognitive and neurological issues.
In some cases, lupus can result in skin rashes, facial swelling, and other skin issues. Long-term complications of lupus can also include anxiety and depression, increased risk of infections, and even premature death.
While lupus is not always life-threatening, it is important to seek medical attention and treatment as soon as possible to minimize the risk of long-term complications.