10 Early Signs of Lupus
People around me usually ask what are my lupus symptoms and how I discovered I had lupus. I look fine, why don’t I look sick?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling (inflammation) and a wide variety of symptoms. Lupus affects everyone differently. Some people have only a few mild symptoms, and others have many, more severe symptoms. The inflammation is worse on the inside of our bodies, and that is what causes so much damage. It’s many times invisible to even the most expert eyes.
People with lupus generally experience flare-ups of symptoms followed by periods of remission. That’s why early symptoms are easy to dismiss.
Because early symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, having them doesn’t necessarily mean you have lupus. Early symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained fever
- Hair loss
- Skin rash or lesions
- Pulmonary issues
- Kidney inflammation, which symptoms include: swelling in the lower legs and feet, high blood pressure, blood in your urine, darker urine, having to urinate more frequently at night, pain in your side
- Painful, swollen joints
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Thyroid problems
- Dry mouth, dry eyes
The list of potential symptoms of lupus is lengthy. Other symptoms include oral ulcers, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle pain, chest pain, osteoporosis, and depression. Rare symptoms include anemia, dizziness, and seizures. Fortunately, not everyone gets every symptom. While new symptoms can appear, others often disappear.
If you or anyone you know have some of these symptoms combined, you may want to consult a doctor.
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