How to Identify Symptoms of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Lupus is not a particularly exciting condition. You generally don't hear much about it in the media, and you don't see commercials for drugs designed to treat it. But lupus is a very real and serious disease that can strike anyone at any time.

Symptoms of Lupus

Like many diseases, lupus can present with a number of different symptoms, however, the range of symptoms of lupus is very vast. So wide in fact that it has been called "the great imitator" because it can mimic so many other diseases. Therefore, if you suspect you have lupus, it's essential to be evaluated by a doctor who specializes in lupus so that other causes can be ruled out. Generally, four or more of these symptoms at once or close together suggests lupus.

1. Skin and Hair Problems
Red scales, rashes on the face, hair loss, and oral or nasal ulcers are common symptoms of lupus, although they are not present in all cases.

2. Joint pain or arthritis
Lupus is a disease that causes the body's immune system to attack its own joints. Sometimes the attack is so severe that it leads to full-blown arthritis, although this is rare. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, over 90% of people with lupus will experience joint pain.

3. Anemia or abnormal blood counts
Insufficient amounts of iron in the blood occur in up to half of all lupus cases, and sometimes occur with low white blood cell and platelet counts. Lupus sufferers also may develop a symptom that prevents their blood from clotting properly, leading to deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clots in the legs, which can be fatal.

4. Cardiac inflammation or hardening of the arteries
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients with lupus may develop accelerated hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and inflammation of the sacs surrounding the heart. Such symptoms do not usually present themselves in a way that's obvious, so it's important to get a regular checkup so your doctor has the opportunity to spot abnormal heart

5. Lower respiratory symptoms
Lupus patients may develop problems with the lungs and the tissue surrounding the lungs (the pleura), including blood clots and hemorrhaging. Such symptoms may or may not be obvious to you, depending on the symptom, but again, a regular check up to your doctor will reveal whether a lung problem is present.

6. Protein in the urine
Although not as common, renal (kidney) impairment can occur in lupus patients, sometimes even leading to complete renal failure. Blood in the urine may cause your urine to be abnormally dark. Excess protein can make your urine appear cloudy, although it is not always visible.

7. Neurological disturbances
Trouble thinking, seizures, unexplained mood or anxiety disorders, psychosis, and severe confusion can occur when lupus causes the immune system to attack the central nervous system (CNS). These are just some of the 19 symptoms defined by The American College of Rheumatology.

8. Fatigue
While often caused by iron-deficiency anemia, fatigue can also be caused by poor nutrition, depression, and poor sleep quality among lupus sufferers.

Conclusion
Pay attention to unusual symptoms, and be sure to get a regular physical exam at least once a year. Not only will a regular physical increase your chances of catching a problem early, it will also give you peace of mind, which is a great medicine all by itself.

Sources:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/y87735l0322gg352/
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/349/25/2407
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16142863