Lupus is a chronic disorder in which the body’s immune system malfunctions, i.e., it mistakenly starts attacking the healthy tissues by producing a high quantity of antibodies. This can result in pain and inflammation in various parts of the body. Unfortunately, the exact cause of such behavior is still not known. Although, researchers believe that several factors might contribute such as hormonal fluctuations, stress, medications, bacteria, viruses, genetics, or exposure to a particular kind of environment. Interestingly, lupus primarily affects women in their reproductive years as compared to men.

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Identifying lupus signs and symptoms
One of the major issues with lupus is that its symptoms are not easy to recognize, and this is because every patient experiences them in varying degrees. For some, the lupus signs and symptoms could start projecting severely and suddenly. For others, the disorder may go undiagnosed for years as the body might endure from mild or no symptoms at all.

The following are some of the main lupus signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, fix an appointment with your general practitioner or a specialist at the earliest.

• Rashes – One of the most prominent visible signs of lupus is the butterfly rash across the cheeks and the nose. About 30% to 50% suffering from lupus will project this symptom. Disc-shaped patchy red and inflamed rashes, known as discoid rashes, are also a common occurrence for lupus patients, which is usually observed on the face, scalp, and neck. This autoimmune disease can also cause lesions in various other areas of the body. Often, people dealing with lupus are also sensitive to the sun and or bright, artificial lights, which can cause patchy skin or discoloration of the skin.
• Inflammation of the joints – Lupus can often trigger the condition of arthritis which can cause pain, stiffness and a visible tenderness in the joints. The arthritis-related symptoms might be persistent or can flare up on occasions.
• Kidney problems – Lupus can affect the functioning of your kidney by causing swelling. Typically, a healthy kidney filters out proteins while producing urine, but if a person has lupus, their kidney might fail to do so. This might also be accompanied by signs like nausea and loss of energy.
• Swelling in the pulmonary system – Another common sign of lupus is inflammation of the lungs or the lining of the heart. If such form of swelling lasts long, then it can cause problems like irregular heartbeat, fluid buildup in the lungs, and chest pain while inhaling. Moreover, it can possibly shrink the size of the lungs.
• Mouth ulcers – A person enduring lupus might also experience frequent mouth sores that mostly develop on the roof or sides of the mouth. Interestingly, such ulcers don’t cause any pain. Due to lupus, at times, one can also get ulcers inside the nose.
• Neurological disorders – Lupus can activate a range of problems in the nervous system including headaches, anxiety, or vision disorders. It can also lead to psychosis and seizures which might cause hallucinations, temporary memory loss, or confusion.

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Apart from the standard signs mentioned above, patients can also suffer from unexplained fatigue or fever, dry eyes, anemia, etc.

It is crucial that you consult a doctor immediately if you notice lupus signs and symptoms. The doctor will recommend an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test for confirming the condition.