The Symptoms of Lupus

General Symptoms
Often, some generalized feelings of illness will be experienced before specific lupus symptoms appear. Individuals may describe flu-like symptoms of fatigue, aching muscles and joints, loss of appetite, fever and swollen glands. These symptoms may persist for several months and are often early warning signs of disease activity. Some of these symptoms will lessen with treatment, while others may become a feature of the chronic phase of the disease.

There are some additional symptoms that are commonly experienced. Sudden and unexplained weight loss or gain, increase in the type or severity of headaches, increase in hair loss involving the whole scalp. Changes in colour of the fingers on exposure to cold, hives and/or persistent high blood pressure may be signs that lupus is present and becoming active.

Signs, symptoms and tests
The specific symptoms of lupus are caused by inflammation in one or more tissues of the body, and can vary widely from person to person. The following list contains the more common or classic signs and symptoms of lupus.  Please note that few people would ever develop all of these conditions.  A diagnosis of lupus can be made when at least four are noted in the individual's history one of which should be a laboratory test to confirm the presence of abnormal antibodies.

1. Pain in the joints of the hands, arms, shoulders, feet, legs, hips or jaws which may move from joint to joint and may be accompanied by swelling, redness and heat

2. A red rash across the upper cheeks and over the bridge of the nose

3. An unusual and excessive reaction to sunlight

4. A red scaly rash on the face, scalp, ears, arms or chest.

5. Small, usually painless sores found on the moist lining of the nose or mouth.

6. Chest pain that worsens when breathing or lying down.

7. Weight gain and swelling of the feet and legs which is caused by decrease in kidney function

8. Seizures or severe mental illness

9. A decease in the number of red or white blood cells or platelets.

10. Presence of certain factors in the blood, specifically the LE cell, anti-native DNA auto antibodies, anti-Sin auto antibodies or a positive test for syphilis. (A falsely positive syphilis test indicates an abnormality in the immune response.  There is no relationship between lupus and venereal diseases.)

11. Presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the blood

The above is not a complete listing of lupus symptoms, however, it does provide sufficient criteria for confirming a diagnosis of lupus.

How is lupus diagnosed?
A definite diagnosis of lupus is most often made over a period of time.  A detailed medical history is the first important step in establishing a diagnosis.  This history may bring to light illnesses and medical problems in the individual's past which would now point to LUPUS.  The second step is a thorough physical examination in which the physician looks for the presence of any signs and symptoms suggestive of lupus.  Thirdly, a battery of blood tests will give cell counts.  Immunologic information and look for the presence of antinuclear antibodies.  Lastly, other diseases with symptoms or test results similar to SLE must be ruled out.