What Is Lupus? - Lupus Foundation of America
Jul 31, 2020 · Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead. Lupus most commonly affects your: Skin. Joints.
What is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? - Lupus Foundation …
Aug 23, 2024 · Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). This is also called “lupus with central nervous system (CNS) involvement.”. This means that a person’s lupus is causing symptoms that affect their brain, like headaches, trouble thinking, memory loss, seizures, or stroke. Experts are learning more about NPSLE, but they estimate that more than 1 in 5 people ...
Lupus Symptoms | Lupus Foundation of America
Jul 25, 2023 · Pain or swelling in the joints. Swelling in the hands, feet, or around the eyes. Headaches. Low fevers. Sensitivity to sunlight or fluorescent light. Chest pain when breathing deeply. Many people with lupus also have problems that affect their skin and hair, like: A butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose. Hair loss.
Diagnosing lupus - Lupus Foundation of America
Apr 20, 2020 · Diagnosing lupus can be challenging. There’s no single test that can give doctors a “yes” or “no” answer. Sometimes it can take months—or even years—to gather all the right information. Making a lupus diagnosis is kind of like putting together a puzzle. Your doctor will look at several different puzzle pieces: your symptoms ...
Treating Lupus Skin Problems - Lupus Foundation of America
Aug 26, 2021 · Steroids can help with skin inflammation. Depending on the type of skin problem you have, you may need to take steroids as creams, pills, or injections. Taking steroids for a long time can increase your risk for infections and other serious health problems, including heart disease. If you take steroids for skin problems, talk with your doctor ...
How Lupus Affects The Skin | Lupus Foundation of America
Aug 26, 2021 · Subacute cutaneous lupus causes a red scaly rash or red ring-shaped sores. It usually happens on skin that gets sunlight, like the neck and arms. Acute cutaneous lupus causes a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose that looks like a sunburn (called malar rash). Sometimes it affects other body parts, like the arms and legs.
Understanding lupus: a guide | Lupus Foundation of America
Oct 17, 2018 · Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation (swelling) and pain any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, meaning that your immune system attacks healthy tissue (tissue is what our organs are made of). Lupus most commonly affects the skin, joints, and internal organs — like your kidneys or lungs.
Lab Tests for Lupus | Lupus Foundation of America
Routine blood tests. Usually, your doctor will first request a complete blood count (CBC). Your blood is made up of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets and serum. The complete blood count measures the levels of each. In cases of lupus, these blood tests may reveal low numbers. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of ...
The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test - Lupus Foundation of America
Aug 20, 2021 · If your doctor says your ANA test is “positive,” that means you have antinuclear antibodies in your blood — but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have lupus. In fact, a large portion of patients with a positive ANA do not have lupus. Diagnosing lupus is like putting together a puzzle. There’s no single test that can give doctors a yes ...
What Causes Lupus? - Lupus Foundation of America
Apr 30, 2024 · Silica dust — which many farm and industrial workers are exposed to at their job. Other environmental causes could be: Medicines — like sulfa drugs, tetracycline drugs, and antibiotics. Emotional stress — like a divorce or death of a family member. Anything that can damage or tire your body — like injuries, surgery, or giving birth.