How to Recognize the Symptoms of Lupus

The disease lupus has a variety of different symptoms. This autoimmune condition can affect several different organs simultaneously, causing a bevy of symptoms. It is necessary to recognize the symptoms of lupus as a whole to determine that this is indeed the condition plaguing you. Read on to learn how to recognize the symptoms of lupus.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look for joint pain and swelling. Lupus can cause symptoms similar to arthritis. You will notice that you have swellings in your wrists, elbows knees, ankles and other joints. Lupus swellings often disappear and reappear for no obvious reason.

2. Check for skin problems. If you recognize a strange rash on your skin, it might be a symptom of lupus. Like the joint pain caused by lupus, lupus patients often get rashes without an obvious cause such as an allergic reaction.

3. Ask a doctor to conduct a urine test for kidney problems, as lupus can cause some symptoms that are similar to kidney disease. You will recognize kidney problems if your urine is foamy, strangely colored or contains blood. You also might have to go to the bathroom often but be unable to urinate.

4. Have a blood analysis done by your doctor. Lupus will sometimes cause anemia. A blood test will show a low red blood cell count that would likely indicate this iron deficiency.

5. Watch out for strange muscle problems. If you often have muscle spasms, lose control of your muscles or suffer from convulsions, then you may have lupus.

Tips & Warnings

• Just because you recognize one of the symptoms of lupus doesn't mean you have it. Usually lupus manifests itself in a variety of different symptoms.
• Your doctor will have to go through each lupus symptom that you recognize and rule out all the possible causes for it. This method will probably require lots of testing.
• Be prepared to give your doctor a detailed medical history, including that of your living and deceased relatives.
• Don't be surprised if your doctor has to send you to a hospital to get your tests done. This doesn't mean you are necessary gravely sick, it is just that most doctors don't have all the available equipment for detailed kidney and blood tests at smaller offices.
• Convulsions are a serious medical issue and you should see our doctor immediately if you have them.
• You can recognize some of these symptoms at home, but you really should have a doctor perform a detailed analysis of your symptoms to get an accurate diagnosis.

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