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It is very difficult to diagnose Lupus (SLE) because the symptom often misleads the physician to misdiagnose or mistake it for some other illness which is why SLE is also known as a ‘great imitator’.
And there is no pattern or method to the symptoms of Lupus since they are very unpredictable and differs from case to case. A few of the initial symptoms of Lupus are fever, malaise, fatigue, inflammation of joints and pain in muscles, unexplained hair loss, digestive problems which are common to many diseases and illness hence in many cases Lupus goes undetected for very many years.
Some of the other suggestive symptoms which helps in diagnosis are the following:
Skin Rashes
About 30% of patients affected by Lupus have skin rashes notably in their face most commonly noted classic malar (otherwise known as butterfly rash). Some patients also get thick, red scaly patches on the skin while some get Alopecia, mouth, nasal and vaginal lesions and ulcers. Many also sensitivity to sunlight most commonly known as ‘photosensitivity’.
Inflamation and Joint Pains
Inflammation is the most dominant symptom of Lupus and about 95% of the patients seek medical attention for the same. Inflammation or swelling is found in the hand and wrist area in most of the cases. When left undetected or misdiagnised irreversible deformities might occur as it does in about 20% of patients.
Fatigue, Anemia & Nervous System problems
Fatigue, anemia, iron deficiency develops in most of the patients along with sudden unexplained lost of weight and appetite. In some patients, headaches, seizures, dizziness, vision problems manifests when Lupus attacks the central nervous system.
Chest Pain
In many patients, Lupus manifests as inflammation of various parts of the heart such as Pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart), myocardium (the lining inside the heart muscle) and the endocardium (lining inside the heart). Inflamation of these parts causes shortness of breath and sharp chest pains that seem like heart attack.
Inflammation of Lungs
Lupus can also cause inflammation of the chest cavity lining that can produce sharp stabbing chest pains. Other conditions that are likely to manifest in some patients are the accumulation of excess fluid in the plueral space between lung and the chest wall and lupus pneumonitis, the inflamation of the lungs.
Renal Damage
Patients affected by Lupus are also extremely suseptable to kidney damage where a condition called glomerulonephritis manifists which affects the ability of the kidney to filter toxins. This inevitably leads to kidney failure in many patients. Other symptoms of kidney damage related to Lupus are – tea-colored urine, swelling of anles and lower legs and high blood pressure. |
