Lupus
Overview
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that commonly causes inflammation in various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, and major organs such as the brain, kidneys, heart, and lungs.
Common Signs And Symptoms
- Butterfly Facial Rash Covering Cheeks And Nose And Other Rashes On The Body
- Fatigue
- Pain Stiffness And Swelling Of Joints
- Sensitivity To Sunlight
- Fever
- Fingers And Toes Turning White Or Blue When Stressed Or Exposed To The Cold
- Shortness Of Breath And Chest Pain
- Headaches And Confusion
- Hair Loss
People with lupus may experience a variety of symptoms including:
Types of Lupus
Learn more about the different types of lupus:
- SLE(Systemic lupus erythematosus)When people refer to lupus, they are typically referring to this type. SLE may affect the skin, joints, brain, kidneys, and other organs. Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of SLE that occurs when the kidneys are affected. SLE makes up 70% of patients with lupus, making it the most common form.
- Cutaneous lupus erythematosusThis type of lupus impacts the skin, resulting in rashes and lesions.
- Drug-induced lupusThis form of lupus is triggered by certain prescription medications. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus are similar to those of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and typically resolve within six months of discontinuing the medication that triggered the condition.
- Neonatal lupusThis is a rare type of lupus that affects infants of women with lupus. Infants with neonatal lupus typically outgrow symptoms after around six months of age.
Diagnosis Journey
For individuals showing signs and symptoms that are consistent with lupus, doctors may use a combination of the following methods to confirm a diagnosis:
Treatment Options
There is no cure for lupus, so treatment is focused on mitigating and improving symptoms. Commonly, patients see a rheumatologist for their lupus-related care. Treatments aim to:
- Limit flares
- Treat symptoms
- Reduce organ damage and inflammation
Medications
Common medications to help treat symptoms of lupus include:
- 01NSAIDs(Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)NSAIDs can help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
- 02CorticosteroidsCorticosteroids may help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain.
- 03ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants are used to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. They are typically reserved for severe cases of lupus or when other treatments have not been effective.
- 04Antimalarial drugsAntimalarial drugs can help reduce pain, inflammation, rashes, and flares.
- 05BiologicsBiologics may alleviate symptoms by helping the immune system work properly.
Complications
Complications of Lupus
Lupus may cause the development of complications and health risks in the following parts of the body:
- Kidneys: Lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation) is one of the most common complications of lupus that can result in kidney damage and failure.
- Heart: Lupus may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.
- Blood: Complications involving blood in lupus include anemia (low red blood cell count), leukopenia (low white blood cell count), and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). There is also an increased risk of blood clotting.
- Lungs: Complications involving the lungs includes inflammation of the chest cavity lining, bleeding in the lungs, and pneumonia.
- Brain and Central Nervous System: Complications involving the brain and central nervous system in lupus may include behavior changes, strokes, seizures, vision problems, and memory problems.
Ongoing Research
Lupus is a disease that requires more effective treatment options. To find these new treatments for lupus, further research is necessary.
Current Research Studies
There are over 250 clinical trials actively recruiting participants with lupus. Visit ClinicalTrials.gov to find epilepsy research studies near you.
Research & Resources
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