Could Those Stiff Joints Be Lupus?

As we get older, we naturally have some stiff and sore muscles and joints. It's a normal part of the aging process. However, sometimes it can be the beginning of an autoimmune disease. So what exactly is an autoimmune disease? Well, basically, it's when your own body starts attacking itself. While current research is getting better all the time, scientists still aren't quite sure why this happens. Some theories are that this type of disease is sometimes genetic, or can be caused by exposure to certain chemicals or even sunlight.

This is good to know, but it generally doesn't help. Knowing the cause is nice, although it's usually figured out only after a patient has been diagnosed. Not much help there in prevention. So, what are the most common symptoms of an autoimmune disease? Let's take one of the better know diseases; Lupus. Most people have heard of Lupus, and while the symptoms can mimic other diseases, it's a good example of what to look out for.

One of the most common and obvious symptoms is a facial rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks in a butterfly pattern. Most Lupus sufferers have rashes on their faces or scalp. The rash can be red and/or have raised ridges, reminiscent of psoriasis. In fact, some studies suggest that psoriasis is indeed caused by an autoimmune response of the body.

Full blown Lupus is known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE. This is when any of the body's organs and tissues can be affected by the immune system. If a patient only exhibits the skin rash, it's called Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. Another sign of Lupus is sensitivity to cold, especially when the fingers and toes become white or blanched when exposed to cold temperatures. Lupus can affect many of the organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver, not to mention the joints. It can cause rheumatoid arthritis.

When a sufferer has a particular attack, it's called a 'flare'. This can be started by exposure to the sun or various other catalysts as mentioned above, or it can happen spontaneously without warning. Once a flare happens, the patient needs to rest, because they generally become fatigued. Even though there is no cure for Lupus, patients can be treated with steroids and other medications to make the symptoms less prominent. Many people live normal lives and adjust to the occasional flares. A blood test known as the ANA or anti-nuclear antibody test, can determine if a person really has Lupus or not. As a precaution, if someone suffers from several of the symptoms of Lupus, it's best to make an appointment with the doctor for a complete check up and blood test.