A Little about Lupus

Well folks, a lot of people ask me about Lupus BUT first, I want to make sure that I'm clear, I have not been diagnosed with Lupus, just tested positive. Essentially that means that I have many of the symptoms but not quite enough to be diagnosed. So here you go!

Definition:
-autoimmune disorder (immune system is overactive)
-chronic inflammatory disease
-immune system attacks own tissue & organs
-can affect many body systems: joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs

Symptoms:
-fatigue*                             -general pain*                 -shortness of breath*
-fever                               -sun sensitivity               -chest pain*
-muscle pain*                     -dry eyes                       -joint pain/swelling/stiffness*
-anemia                            -headaches*                    -nerve pain*
-confusion/memory loss*    -feeling sad*                    -nose/mouth/throat sores
-poor circulation in fingers/toes*                               -skin lesions (worsen with sun)
-butterfly shaped rash on face (over nose & cheeks)-hair loss
-enlarged lymph nodes      -cold/stressful situations: fingers/toes turn blue*

Complications:
-Kidneys: kidney damage & failure (leading cause of death w/Lupus)
-Brain: headaches, dizziness, behavior changes, strokes & seizures, memory loss & trouble expressing thoughts
-Blood & Vessels: anemia, increased risk of bleeding & clotting, inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis)
-Lungs*: inflammation of chest cavity (pleurisy)-makes breathing difficult
-Heart*: inflammation of heart muscle, arteries, or heart membrane (pericarditis). Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
-Infection*: weak immune system-more vulnerable to infection
-Cancer: increased risk of cancer
-Bone Tissue Death (avascular necrosis): blood supply to bone diminishes>leads to bone breking & collapsing (most common-hip)
-Pregnancy: increased risk of miscarriage. Increased blood pressure during pregnancy & preterm birth

General*:
-Lupus can flare & subside at anytime, for any length of time
-Lupus can be at different intensities for each individual


*These are symptoms/complications I am currently dealing with

Information for this post was gathered from many medical sites including: WebMD, Mayo Clinic, Lupus Foundation of America, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.


Cydnee Haws