Lupus Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Lupus Symptoms/ Early Warning Signs

Lupus usually starts with some early symptoms that can be easily ignored or confused with other diseases. Below is an overview of some common symptoms of lupus:

• Exhaustion that never seems to end despite having enough sleep

• Pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints, especially those found in the hands, wrists, and knees

• Butterfly-shaped rashes on the face, specifically on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose (malar rash)

• Being overly sensitive to light, with rashes developing due to sun exposure

• Having a low-grade fever without an apparent cause

• Thinning of hair or hair loss in patches

• Sores in the mouth or nose that may not be painful

• Turning white or blue of fingers and toes due to coldness or stress (Raynaud’s phenomenon)

Lupus symptoms tend to occur periodically, with some episodes more noticeable than others. A period when lupus becomes worse is called a flare. When lupus subsides or disappears, the condition is referred to as remission.

Lupus Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Some lupus symptoms may indicate the involvement of major organs and should not be overlooked. A concise overview of such symptoms is given in the table below:

Why Do Lupus Symptoms Occur?

Lupus symptoms occur because the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy cells and tissues. This autoimmune response causes inflammation and, in some cases, lasting tissue damage. The effects depend on which parts of the body are involved. While inflammation in the joints may cause pain and swelling, skin involvement can lead to rashes and sensitivity to sunlight.

Lupus affecting the kidneys, lungs, heart, blood cells or nervous system may cause swelling, chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, headaches or other neurological symptoms. Symptoms often become more noticeable during a flare, when disease activity increases and may improve during periods of remission.

Lupus Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

The progression of lupus tends to be slow with periods of flares and remissions. But when new symptoms appear or when symptoms appear suddenly, it does not necessarily mean a normal flare of lupus. They may indicate a serious condition like a blood clot, stroke, organ failure or infection.

You must see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• A sudden severe chest pain, especially when inhaling, or difficulty breathing

• One-sided weakness or drooping face, or difficulty speaking

• Seizures or loss of consciousness

• A sudden, severe headache, unlike anything you have had before

• A sudden severe drop in kidney function, with leg swelling, decreased urine output or dark, foamy urine

• High fever with new confusion, extreme drowsiness or marked agitation

• Sudden severe abdominal pain

• Blood clots in the legs

Symptoms of Lupus Based on Type

Lupus is not manifested identically in all patients. Some patients exhibit manifestations that are organ-specific or less common. In such cases, an evaluation by an appropriate rheumatologist or autoimmunity specialist is required.

The lupus-specific manifestations listed in the table below include:

Symptoms of Lupus in Men

Men experience different symptoms and severity of lupus compared to women and children. Here are the most common symptoms men affected by lupus face:

• Kidney dysfunction and proteinuria

• Serositis or the inflammation around the heart (pericarditis) and lungs (pleuritis)

• Heart problems, including pericarditis, myocarditis, and thrombotic disorders

Symptoms of Lupus in Women

Women aged between 15 and 45 years are more likely to be diagnosed with lupus than men and children. Some major lupus symptoms among women include:

• Butterfly rash on the cheeks

• Hair loss and alopecia

• Exacerbated lupus symptoms during different menstrual phases, pregnancy, and postpartum due to changes in hormones

• Higher risk of miscarriage, preeclampsia and pre-term labour

• Premature cardiovascular diseases

Symptoms of Lupus in Children

Although the prevalence of lupus is higher in adults, children, especially adolescents, can also be affected by lupus. Some common symptoms of lupus in children include:

• Mucocutaneous features such as skin rash, oral ulcerations and alopecia

• Kidney issues (Lupus nephritis)

• Anaemia, pallor and fever

• Seizures are one of the neuropsychiatric symptoms that occur frequently in children with pSLE.

Can You Have Lupus Without Symptoms?

Yes. A person with lupus may have periods of remission when symptoms are mild or absent. However, lupus can sometimes affect organs such as the kidneys without causing obvious symptoms, so regular blood and urine tests remain important.

However, some healthy people have a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test without having lupus. A positive ANA result alone does not confirm the condition. Doctors also consider symptoms, examination findings and other test results.

When Can Lupus Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Most people suffering from lupus experience only mild or moderate symptoms. However, lupus can become deadly and cause serious harm to major organs in the body. The table below highlights cases where lupus could become life-threatening:

How are Lupus Symptoms Diagnosed?

Lupus is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, imaging and/or biopsy, and analysed by a rheumatologist. Different tests, along with their role in detecting lupus, are outlined below: