Lupus, which is also referred to as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system itself starts stacking healthy cells. Thus, in this case, every part of the body is under attack.
Typical lupus symptoms include inflammation and damage joints, skin as well as kidneys, bones, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and even brain.
The biggest disadvantage with lupus is that it affects everyone somewhat differently. The symptoms are also not persistent as they tend to come and go. This is the reason that it can take months or even years for a doctor to confirm a diagnosis.
Early signs of lupus usually start in adulthood, anywhere form teen to early 30’s. Because the symptoms of lupus are similar to other conditions, it does not always mean that a person may suffer from lupus.
However, you do need to keep a lookout on some of the early signs of lupus, these might include:
- Pulmonary issues
Inflammation of the pulmonary system could be one of the early sign of lupus. In this condition, the lungs become inflamed and the swelling might extend to lung blood vessels. Pulmonary issues can also affect the diaphragm, leading to chest pain every time a person the person tries to breathe. This condition is usually referred to as pleuritic chest pain. If ignored the early signs of lupus can shrink the lung size, the diaphragmatic muscles also tend to get weak as it appears to move up when seen in a CT scan. - Kidney inflammation
People suffering from lupus might develop a type of kidney inflammation called as nephritis. This condition makes it hard for the kidneys to filter out the toxins and waste from the water. Being one of the early signs of lupus, nephritis usually begins in the initial 5 years. The symptoms of nephritis include high blood pressure, darker urine, blood in urine. Untreated lupus nephritis can lead to renal disease. - Thyroid
The thyroid gland helps in controlling the body’s metabolism. A malfunctioning thyroid due to lupus can affect vital organs like brain, heart, kidneys and liver. It can also result in either weight gain or weight loss (depending on the type of thyroid). When a thyroid is underactive it is called hypothyroidism, which tends to decrease body weight, and if the thyroid is overactive, it might tend to increase body weight. - Gastrointestinal problems
This is one of the commonly occurring early sign of lupus. People suffering from gastrointestinal problems might experience heartburn, and acid refluxes. Mild symptoms of gastrointestinal problems can be treated with OTC antacids. People suffering from repeated bouts of this type of symptom are advised to cut down on the size of meals and avoid beverages that contain caffeine. - Rashes and lesions
One of the most visible early signs of lupus include skin rashes and lesions. Usually a butterfly shaped rash would appear over the bridge of nose and both the cheeks. Maximum number of people show this kind of symptom, which is an early sign of lupus. It may appear suddenly or just before a flare-up. It also causes non-itchy lesions. People suffering from lupus are sensitive to sun and even artificial lighting. Discoloration of fingers and toes could also be an early sign of lupus. - Hair loss
Hair thinning is often one of the earliest signs of lupus. This also results in inflammation of the skin and scalp. People suffering from lupus lose hair by the clump. It is also found that lupus cause thinning of beard, eyebrows, eyelashes and other body hair. Making the hair feel brittle, that breaks easily, it makes it look ragged. When treating the symptoms of lupus, it usually results in renewed hair growth. However, developing lesions on the scalp due to lupus can cause permanent hair loss. - Fever
One of the early signs of lupus is a low-grade unexplained fever. Since, the fever ranges somewhere between 98.5 degree Fahrenheit (or 37 degree Celsius ) to 101 degree Fahrenheit, the person might not feel the need to visit the doctor. People suffering from lupus might experience this type of fever on and off. A low-grade fever could be a symptom of inflammation, infection, or even a flare-up. Seek a doctor if you experience recurrent low-grade fever. - Fatigue
Lupus usually starts with making a person feel tired all the time. Most of the people show this early sign of lupus. An afternoon nap can serve the purpose but then, this can lead to insomnia at night. It might get difficult but, if the person tries to remain active during the day and keep up with the daily routine, it will in keeping the energy levels up.
Some other potential early signs of lupus include oral ulcers, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle pain, osteoporosis, and even depression. Some rare symptoms include anemia, dizziness and seizures.
