People are concerned about serious diseases such as cancer or diabetes, and that is why many of them try to live healthy lifestyles. However, there are many other illnesses that people should be concerned about that they don’t consider such as lupus.
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, and autoimmune disorders are when the immune system mistakes healthy cells and tissues as an invader such as a virus, bacteria, or fungus. Therefore, the immune system attacks healthy cells. With Lupus, the immune system is attacking a variety of cells and tissues in different areas of the body for this reason.
There are 11 signs that you must not ignore that can potentially point to lupus.
#11 – Unexplained Weight Loss
The idea of losing weight without putting effort into it if you are overweight sounds like a dream. However, it is far from that. If you are losing weight and you are not cutting your caloric intake or exercising, that is quite concerning. As the body attacks itself, weight loss is one of the signs that show it.
#10 – Fatigue
Everyone gets tired to the point that they struggle to get off of the sofa if they had put in a very long day or slept poorly at night. However, the type of fatigue that is associated with lupus is so extreme to the point that you literally struggle to lift yourself off of the sofa. And you did not exert yourself. A cup of coffee won’t help wake you up either.
#9 – Blood Circulation That Is Poor
If your hands and fingers are always cold, then that is a sign that you have poor blood circulation. In fact, your fingernails appear blue and when you touch anyone, they are hot. That is because of the poor circulation. This is a symptom to not ignore and to talk to your doctor about right away.
#8 – Acid Reflux
If you keep getting heartburn, that could be a sign of lupus. Especially if it does not improve after taking antacids. And if you are getting heartburn after not eating something, that is also a sign of lupus which means you need to see your doctor right away.
#7 – Joint Swelling
If you are in your 20s or 30s, or even early 40s, and yet you feel as if you have joints of someone who is in their 70s, that is not a good sign. If you feel as if you have swelling in your elbows, knees, or other joints that cause you to wonder if you have arthritis, that is another sign of lupus.
#6 – Rashes
Everyone gets sunburns. However, if you develop a rash after spending some time in the sun in any area of your body then that is a sign you could have lupus. Rashes are a sign of that.
#5 – You Feel Like You Are Catching The Flu
If you think you are coming down with a cold or flu but it never fully comes on, this could be a sign of lupus as well. And if you feel as if you do have the flu and it is going on for a long time, then you need to see a doctor. This could be a lupus flare.
#4 – Losing Hair
Everyone loses hair, especially during the fall and winter. However, it never happens rapidly and in clumps. If you are experiencing hair loss that is rapid and happening in clumps, then that is a sign that your immune system is attacking your healthy cells. In other words, this is a sign of lupus.
#3 – Having Pains In The Chest
If you have lupus then the big red flag is chest pain which is the result of swelling around the lungs. However, doctors often think that this is a coronary issue which is why they have a hard time diagnosing the cause for chest pain.
#2 – Miscarriages
Lupus can cause problems with blog clotting which is why miscarriages can happen during pregnancy. However, that is not always the case. But other than that, women with lupus have heavy menstrual bleeding and they can have irregular cycles. This is why women that have the condition that is looking to get pregnant should seek help beforehand with a rheumatologist.
#1 – Painful Urination
Kidneys are often affected by lupus as the cells are attacked, therefore, when that happens, you can end up with painful urination. If you have been tested for kidney, bladder, or urinary tract infections but it came back negative, then you need to go in for tests for lupus.
Lupus is a painful autoimmune condition, but as long as it is treated properly, you can live a long life. And you also will not have every symptom but if you have 3 or more, then you need to see your doctor.
