Symptoms of Lupus in Women

Lupus disease is an autoimmune system disorder in which the healthy tissues and organs are attacked by the immune system. It is a chronic inflammatory disease. The inflammation can affect different body systems including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. It is observed that Lupus disease is commonly seen in women. However, what causes lupus is not yet clear. There are four types of lupus, namely, systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus erythematosus and neonatal lupus. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is said to be the most common and serious of the different types of lupus diseases. The causes of lupus are very difficult to diagnose. It is said that it can be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. According to doctors, a person may not inherit lupus itself. Rather, people inherit a predisposition to lupus, which develops when the person comes in contact with a trigger such as a certain medication or a virus.

Lupus Disease Symptoms

When we look at lupus disease symptoms, it is important to note that they are not exactly alike in both cases. Lupus symptoms in women may develop suddenly or they may build up over a period of time. In some cases, the symptoms may be mild, whereas, in others they may be severe. Likewise, the signs and symptoms of lupus can also be temporary or permanent. The early lupus symptoms in women depend upon the physiological system affected by the disease. The symptoms are enlisted below:

• Swelling and aching joints accompanied by muscle pain are symptoms of lupus disease. Joint stiffness is also observed in some people.
• Most patients complain of extreme fatigue.
• A lot of people with lupus suffer either from unexplained weight loss or unexplained weight gain.
• One of the most commonly seen symptoms the butterfly rash, also known as malar rash. This rash is seen on the face and it often covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose.
• Skin lesions, which appear or worsen when the skin is exposed to the sun, is another symptom. The skin may become very delicate and the person may be prone to easy bruising.
• During cold temperatures or stressful periods, the fingers and toes either turn white or blue. This is also known as Raynaud's syndrome.
• People suffering from lupus disease may also suffer from mouth sores.
• Alopecia or hair loss is also an indicator of lupus disease.
• People suffering from lupus disease may also often be short of breath. It can also be accompanied by chest pain.
• Dry eyes are also an indicator of lupus disease.
• Anxiety and depression are also signs of lupus. The person may not necessarily suffer from both.
• Memory loss is also a symptom of lupus disease.

Lupus Disease Treatment

There is no cure for lupus itself. The goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms and, thereby, protect organs by decreasing inflammation and autoimmune activity in the body. People who have mild symptoms may not need any treatment or may need only some intermittent courses of anti-inflammatory medicines. These medicines help in reducing inflammation and muscle and joint pain. The line of treatment in severe cases will require a combination of different medications to suppress the autoimmune reactions of the body.

When any of the symptoms are seen, it is better to get the condition checked by a healthcare professional so that the disease does not progress. At the same time, the symptoms may vary from one person to another. Hence, a healthcare professional will be in a better position to diagnose the exact condition.

Disclaimer: This article on symptoms of lupus in women is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Hence, seeking medical help strongly suggested.