What is the classic symptom of lupus erythematosus?

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus — a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks — occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.


What is a classic symptom assessed in clients with lupus?

Constitutional symptoms — Constitutional symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and weight loss are present in most patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at some point during the course of the disease.

What is the most common symptom that individuals with lupus experience?

Muscle and joint pain.

This affects most people with lupus. Common areas for muscle pain and swelling include the neck, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms.


What is a common finding in the early diagnosis of lupus?

Fatigue or extreme exhaustion no matter how much they sleep. Muscle and joint pain or swelling. Skin rashes (in particular a butterfly-shaped face rash across the cheeks and nose) Fever.

What is the classic presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus?

People with SLE may experience a variety of symptoms that include fatigue, skin rashes, fevers, and pain or swelling in the joints. Among some adults, having a period of SLE symptoms—called flares—may happen every so often, sometimes even years apart, and go away at other times—called remission.


Lupus Signs & Symptoms (& Why They Occur) | Skin, Joints, Organ Systems



What are the top 5 signs of lupus?

Learn more: Visualize the effects of lupus on the body.
  1. Fatigue. Up to 90% of people with lupus experience some level of fatigue. ...
  2. Unexplained fever. ...
  3. Hair loss. ...
  4. Skin rash or lesions. ...
  5. Pulmonary issues. ...
  6. Kidney inflammation. ...
  7. Painful, swollen joints. ...
  8. Gastrointestinal problems.


How do you confirm lupus?

Your doctor will look for rashes and other signs that something is wrong. Blood and urine tests. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test can show if your immune system is more likely to make the autoantibodies of lupus. Most people with lupus test positive for ANA.

What organ does lupus affect first?

Kidneys About one half of people with lupus experience kidney involvement, and the kidney has become the most extensively studied organ affected by lupus. Lungs About 50% of people with SLE will experience lung involvement during the course of their disease.


What is the most specific test for lupus?

Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are autoantibodies to the nuclei of your cells. 98% of all people with systemic lupus have a positive ANA test, making it the most sensitive diagnostic test for confirming diagnosis of the disease.

What are three triggers of lupus?

Common triggers include:
  • Overwork and not enough rest.
  • Being out in the sun or having close exposure to fluorescent or halogen light.
  • Infection.
  • Injury.
  • Stopping your lupus medicines.
  • Other types of medicines.


When do you start showing signs of lupus?

The first symptoms of lupus usually occur somewhere between the teen years and the 30s and may be mild, severe, sporadic, or continual. Common general symptoms include fatigue, fever, and hair loss. Lupus can also affect individual organs and body parts, such as the skin, kidneys, and joints.


When is lupus usually diagnosed?

Symptoms and diagnosis occur most often between the ages of 15 and 44. Symptoms of lupus will occur before age 18 in only 15 percent of the people who are later diagnosed with the disease.

What are the signs that lupus is getting worse?

A lupus "flare" or "flare up" is when your lupus symptoms worsen and you feel ill as a result.
...
Common symptoms that indicate a flare are:
  • Ongoing fever not due to an infection.
  • Painful, swollen joints.
  • An increase in fatigue.
  • Rashes.
  • Sores or ulcers in the mouth or nose.
  • General swelling in the legs.


What would indicate a patient has lupus?

Symptoms include inflammation of different parts of the body including the lungs, heart, liver, joints and kidneys. The GP will usually do some blood tests. High levels of a type of antibody, combined with typical symptoms, means lupus is likely.


What are the 4 criteria for lupus?

The ACR criteria include malar rash; discoid rash; photosensitivity (development of a rash after sun exposure); oral or nasal ulcers; arthritis of multiple joints; serositis: (inflammation of the lining around the lungs or heart); kidney disease indicated by protein or casts in the urine; neurological disorders such as ...

Does lupus show up in blood work?

No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and physical examination findings leads to the diagnosis.

What kind of doctor can diagnose lupus?

Most of the time it's a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in treating joint and muscle diseases, who will make a diagnosis of lupus. But usually your primary care physician will recommend that you see a specialist after you or your primary doctor has observed some of the common lupus warning signs.


What are the symptoms of lupus in a woman?

Common symptoms include fatigue, hair loss, sun sensitivity, painful and swollen joints, unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems. There is no one test for SLE. Usually, your doctor will ask you about your family and personal medical history and your symptoms. Your doctor will also do some laboratory tests.

What can trigger lupus to start?

Lupus can be triggered by certain types of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. People who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. Rarely, symptoms may persist even after the drug is stopped.

What joints does lupus affect first?

Joint pain is common in lupus, especially in the small joints of the hands and feet. The pain often moves from joint to joint. Joint pain, swelling and stiffness can be the main symptoms for some people with lupus.


What happens if lupus is left untreated?

If left untreated, it can put you at risk of developing life-threatening problems such as a heart attack or stroke.

What are the 11 markers for lupus?

The 11 Signs of Lupus: What You Need to Know
  • A butterfly-shaped rash across both sides of the face.
  • Raised, red skin patches.
  • Sensitivity to light.
  • Ulcers in the mouth or nose.
  • Arthritis plus swelling or tenderness in two or more joints.
  • Seizures or other nervous system problems.
  • Excessive protein in urine.


How do people get lupus?

Doctors and researchers don't know what causes lupus, an autoimmune disease in which your body's immune system makes proteins called autoantibodies that attack your own cells and tissues.


Does lupus affect your hands?

Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are common problems with lupus, especially in hands, wrists, and feet. The swelling doesn't damage your joints, but it can be painful. Lupus can also affect your muscles and cause weakness.

How long can you have lupus without knowing?

On average, it takes nearly six years for people with lupus to be diagnosed, from the time they first notice their lupus symptoms.