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What are the most common symptoms of lupus? The following list may alert you to the possibility of lupus.
If you have already been diagnosed, these symptoms may indicate increased activity of the disease, known
as a “flare.” You may also have periods of remission when few or no symptoms are present.
Common Lupus Symptoms
- Achy joints (arthralgia)
- Fever over 100 degrees F
- Swollen and painful joints (arthritis)
- Prolonged fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Anemia
- Swollen ankles (kidney involvement)
- Chest pain upon deep breathing (pleurisy)
- Butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
- Sensitivity to sun (photosensitivity)
- Unusual hair loss
- Abnormal blood clotting problems
- Pale or purple fingers from cold or stress (Raynaud’s Phenomenon)
- Seizures
- Mouth ulcers (often painless, at roof of mouth)
Don't Panic, But Please Don't Wait
Unfortunately, many people have lupus for a long time before it is detected.
If you think you may have lupus, contact a doctor immediately.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Lupus is chronic, complex, and difficult to diagnose. No single lab test can tell
if you have lupus. Many lupus symptoms imitate symptoms of other diseases and often
come and go. Your primary care doctor or rheumatologist will use your medical history,
a physical exam, and many routine as well as special tests to rule out other diseases.
Many physicians also use the American College of Rheumatology’s “Eleven Criteria of Lupus”
to aid in the diagnosis of lupus. The criteria include symptoms as well as specific
laboratory findings that provide information about the functioning of a person’s immune system.
In most cases, the diagnosis of lupus is made when four or more of the criteria have occurred at some time.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help manage the symptoms of the disease and lessen the chance of permanent damage to organs and tissue. Once a diagnosis is established, patients are assessed for damage to major organs (central nervous system, kidneys, heart or lungs). Treatment depends on the activity and extent of the disease.
While there is not yet a cure, research uncovers promising new findings each year. There is a tremendous need for increased research to discover new treatments and a cure for lupus.
