Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Symptoms
hair loss, shortness of breath
rash on cheeks and nose (butterfly rash)
headaches, confusion, memory loss
anemia, chest pain, dry eyes
Joint pain/swelling/stiffness
blood-clotting problems
Severe fatigue
fingers turning white or blue and tingling when cold, (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
Fever
blood in urine, clinical depression, water retention, or weight loss
Causes: Precise cause unknown, but some factors may play a role
Medications
Sex and hormones
Genetics
Environment
Family members with other autoimmune conditions.
Triggered by certain types of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics.
Ultraviolet light, sun exposure may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response, infections can initiate lupus or cause a relapse
Affects women more than men, women also may experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy and with menstrual periods
Risk Factors
Sex: more common in women.
Race: more common in African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans.
Age: affects all ages, but most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45.
Diagnostic Test
Urinalysis
Chest X-ray
Blood test
Complete blood count
Kidney and liver assessment
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Echocardiogram
Kidney or Skin biopsy
Treatment
Corticosteroids (Prednisone, Medrol)
Immunosuppressants (Azasan, Cellcept, Trexall, Xatmep, Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf, Arava)
Antimalarial drugs (Plaquenil)
Biologics (Benlysta)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve, ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin IB)
Lifestyle and home remedies
wear protective clothing, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 55
Exercise regularly
See your doctor regularly
Don't smoke
Maintain a healthy diet
Vitamin D and calcium supplements
Test screening for bone thinning