[ad_1]
Lupus can cause pain or swelling in the joints.
What are the symptoms of lupus?
Symptoms of lupus vary and can appear off and on for years. Because lupus can affect different parts of the body, it can cause a lot of different symptoms. However, many women with lupus do not have symptoms at all. Common symptoms include:
- Pain or swelling in the joints
- Extreme fatigue
- Butterfly rash on the cheeks and nose
- Swelling in hands, feet, or around the eyes
- Headache
- Low fever
- Chest pain or deep breathing
- Hair loss
- Fingers and toes feeling dumb or turning white or blue (Raynaud’s Disease)
How is lupus diagnosed?
Diagnosing lupus can be challenging because symptoms can vary from person-to-person and can come and go. There is no single test that can diagnose lupus. Sometimes it can take years to gather all the right information for an accurate diagnosis. Getting diagnosed is the first step in managing symptoms and avoiding long-term health damage. Women can track any symptoms and share them with their doctors. Diagnosis often requires medical history, family history, symptoms, and laboratory tests.
How is lupus treated?
Lupus is a chronic disease with no cure. This means that people with lupus can manage their condition with treatment, but it will not go away. Treatment can help improve symptoms, prevent flares, and prevent other health problems caused by lupus. Women should start by seeing a health provider, such as a primary care doctor or staff at a community health clinic. This provider may connect them with a rheumatologist, if needed. A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in the diseases of joints, muscles, and systematic autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Kidney impairment or lupus nephritis is the leading side effect for women with SLE. Those most affected by this form of lupus are African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American women. Women who are Black or African American are four times more likely to have end stage kidney disease caused by lupus.
[ad_2]
Source link
