Lupus Symptoms: 10 Early Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

According to data from the United States Lupus Foundation, there are at least 5 million people affected by this disease around the world. Of these, 1.5 million are in the United States and 90% of this group is made up of women. For many people, the process of getting a lupus diagnosis can take a long time, which also delays treatment and, in some cases, makes the disease more aggressive. Therefore, it is important to know the early signs of lupus. Here are 10 lupus symptoms.

Fatigue

Some lupus patients have described this type of fatigue as similar fighting a cold. In the most severe cases, the fatigue affects people’s daily lives. If you have this symptom, it is important to identify the cause and see your doctor to find out whether something serious is going on.

Fever can be an indicator of lupus

One of the first lupus symptoms to appear is a sporadic fever, between 99 and 100 degrees, which appears and disappears for no apparent reason. Fever may be accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue. Due to this, people often confuse this early sign of lupus with stress or tiredness.

Blue or white hands and feet

Raynaud’s disease can appear in some cases of lupus. It is a condition that makes the fingers and toes appear blue or white and is caused by spasms in the blood vessels. This disease is painful and uncomfortable, as it also results in numbness of the fingers in cold temperatures or when experiencing peaks of stress or anxiety.

Headache could be a symptom of lupus

Woman with headache symptoms — Shutterstock

Raynaud’s disease, in addition to causing a change in the color of the fingers, can also cause constant headaches and migraines. According to specialists, this develops during the active phases of the disease, which mainly affects the central nervous system and creates complications in the circulatory system.

Confusion and memory loss

Fatigue, mild to severe headaches, along with cognitive issues could be an early indicator of lupus. Brain fog is considered a symptom of lupus, causing difficulty thinking clearly, making decisions or remembering things. While this symptom is sometimes temporary, it can also be a permanent symptom.

Joint pain can sometimes be a sign of lupus

In the earliest stages, the symptoms of lupus are similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis, and the two may be confused, as sufferers experience joint pain and stiffness. Unlike the different types of arthritis, this autoimmune disease more frequently attacks the joints of the hands and feet, causing inflammation.

Rashes

Skin rashes on the face are one of the most common symptoms of lupus, as they appears in almost half of people with the disease, either due to sun exposure or a peak in the disease. Hives are another symptom of lupus. This occurs because patients are more sensitive to sunlight and even artificial light sources.

Hair loss

Hair is a comb as a symptom of alopecia — Shutterstock

If you experience hair loss or thinning, and have other symptoms like migraines or fevers for no apparent reason, then you could be experiencing one of the first signs of lupus. Hair loss is caused by inflammation of the skin and scalp. For some patients, hair loss is gradual, but for others it occurs suddenly, on the scalp and in areas such as the eyebrows, eyelashes and beard. The good news is that, if caught early, and with proper treatment, hair can grow back (although the damage could be permanent in people with scalp injuries).

Gastrointestinal problems sometimes indicate lupus

Diet is a key element in the treatment of lupus, since one of the early signs of the disease is the appearance of heartburn, reflux and stomach discomfort. This symptom is not serious and does not appear in all cases of lupus. It can be treated by avoiding certain foods and things such as caffeine.

Dry mouth and eyes

Dry mouth and eyes are an early sign of lupus. They are associated with Sjogren’s disease, an autoimmune condition that causes damage to the salivary and lacrimal glands. Many of these symptoms can occur in isolation or they can accumulate as the disease progresses.

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