Lupus Symptoms In Women And Men

The lupus rash and associated skin disease is one of the most common lupus symptoms in women and men, appearing in approximately 2/3 of all lupus patients. A lupus rash can appear on the skin in many different forms and may or may not include additional sores (lesions).

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Diagram showing a typical lupus butterfly rash. Illustration copyright 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

Perhaps the poster-child of all lupus disease rashes is the butterfly rash. This rash often occurs in the shape of a butterfly across the face and cheeks. Large red patches on each cheek make up the wings and the body of the butterfly is formed by the bridge of the nose. The lupus butterfly rash can range from light pink to bright red.

Most lupus rashes occur on areas of the body that are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light either from the sun or from artificial sources. These areas are most commonly the face, ears, arms, shoulders, legs, and neck.

Most lupus patients are extremely photosensitive and their symptoms are made worse by exposure to sources of UV light. Sunscreen is a vital protectant for all lupus patients, and things like tanning beds should be avoided as they can trigger the onset of lupus flares and/or make existing lupus symptoms in women and men more severe. Read the rest of this entry

What Is Lupus Nephritis?

Lupus nephritis (also known as lupus glomerulonephritis) can be described as a type of kidney disease that results from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). When nephritis occurs, it causes protein to leak from the kidneys. The protein then exits the body through the urine.

Lupus nephritis causes inflammation in the kidneys and has several associated symptoms which can include:

Lupus Nephritis Symptoms

• Weight gain

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Foamy and/or dark urine

• Edema (swelling) of the fingers, feet, ankles, and legs

• Fluid retention

Previous research estimated that 1/3 of lupus patients experience kidney disease caused by lupus nephritis, but more recent studies suggest that up to 60% of adults and 80% of children with systemic lupus erythematosus suffer from the condition. In approximately 10-30% of patients, lupus nephritis progresses to end stage renal disease (ESRD) within 15 years of diagnosis even with treatment.

Here’s how many long time lupus sufferers are effectively treating lupus symptoms, including nephritis. Read the rest of this entry

What is the lupus prognosis for people who have been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus?

Due to its complex nature, many people mistakenly believe lupus is a fatal disease. However, lupus research has made great strides over the last two decades and the prognosis of lupus is now better than ever.

In fact, more breakthroughs in understanding the causes and symptoms of lupus in women and men have been made over the last two decades than in the previous 100 years combined. A better understanding of the disease has led to better lupus treatments and 80-90% of lupus patients now have a normal life expectancy. Read the rest of this entry

Is there a test for lupus?

First and foremost, there is no single lupus test that can definitively diagnose lupus disease. Lupus is an extremely complex disease and extremely hard to diagnose because lupus symptoms mimic the symptoms of many other diseases and can come and go at anytime.

Click here for a complete guide on how to identify, cope with, and treat lupus disease.

To properly test for lupus, doctors and physicians generally must gather information from several different sources such as a patient’s medical history (both individual and the history of closely related family members), various laboratory tests (ANA test, lupus blood tests, etc.), and the possible symptoms of lupus (fatigue, lupus rashes, mouth sores, kidney problems, etc.) a person may be currently experiencing. Read the rest of this entry

Lupus symptoms in women are wide ranging and can affect multiple organ systems and nearly every part of the body. The three most common lupus disease symptoms in women are:

• Fatigue

• Aching and swollen joints (arthritis)

• Skin rashes across various portions of the body, including the nose and cheeks (often referred to as a lupus butterfly rash)

The skin, joints, blood, kidneys, and brain can all be affected by lupus disease. However, symptoms of lupus in women often come and go in cycles known as lupus remissions and lupus flares.

During lupus remissions, symptoms tend to lay dormant and lupus patients are able to live a normal, healthy life for the most part. However, during periods of lupus flares, patients often feel ill and may experience some or all of the additional lupus symptoms listed below. Read the rest of this entry

Could I have lupus? What is lupus disease anyway?

Despite decades of research that continues to this day, medical professionals and researchers still don’t have a real good answer to this question.  Lupus disease is an extremely complex condition that can affect virtually every part of the human body. In terms of severity, it can range from mild to life threatening.

For those looking for a lupus treatment, Dr. Levin’s Natural Lupus Treatment Guide has been effective at providing relief from lupus symptoms in women and men suffering from this debilitating disease.

Here’s what we do know about lupus disease… Read the rest of this entry