8 Early Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Lupus In Women

What Is Lupus? Know some of the early warning signs and symptoms of lupus disease in women.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause swelling or inflammation and several other symptoms in the body. The symptoms of lupus vary between people to people. 

Some people can have a few mild symptoms, while others can have more severe symptoms. Symptoms usually kick-start during early adulthood, from the teen years into the 30s. 

People who are affected by lupus can experience a general flare-up of symptoms followed by periods of remission. Hence, it is quite easy for us to ignore the early warning symptoms of lupus.

This disease can affect anyone, regardless of the age, race or ethnic preference. But studies have found out that about 9 out of 10 people affected by lupus are women.  Further, the severity of the symptoms can vary from person to person.

Early detection and prevention can keep the lupus from spreading to organs like the kidneys, heart or brain. Hence, it is necessary to be aware of the early warning signs of lupus.

In this video we have mentioned some of the top warning signs of lupus. Watch further to find out about the symptoms of lupus in women.

1. Fatigue: 

It was found that about 90% of people affected by lupus experienced some level of fatigue as per a study. Remaining active, sticking to a particular routine, will help keep your energy levels up.

2. Unexplained Fever: 

One of the early symptoms of lupus is the occurrence of fever for no particular reason. The temperature will vary between 98.5 degree F to 101 degree F, hence we'll neglect the need to visit the doctor for this reason. People with lupus can experience this type of fever on and off.

3. Hair Loss: 

Thinning of hair is also considered as the top sign of one being affected by lupus. Hair loss occurs due to the inflammation of the skin and scalp. Sometimes, people might lose hair like a clump of it or sometimes, it slowly starts to thin down.

4. Skin Rashes Or Lesions: 

A butterfly-shaped rash that appears on the bridge of the nose is one of the visible symptoms of lupus. It can occur suddenly or it may appear after spending some time under the sun. This is one of the top warning signs of lupus.

5. Pulmonary Issues: 

Another one of the symptom of lupus is the inflammation of the pulmonary system. The lungs tend to get inflamed and can extend to the lung blood vessels. These conditions can lead to chest pain when you breathe in.

6. Kidney Inflammation: 

People with lupus are known to develop a kidney inflammation issue. Inflammation will make it difficult for the kidneys to filter out toxins and waste from the blood.

7. Painful & Swollen Joints: 

Inflammation can lead to pain, stiffness and visible swelling in the joints. It can be mild at first and gradually more painful at the later stages.

8. Gastrointestinal Problems: 

Some people with lupus can experience heartburn, acid reflux or other types of gastrointestinal problems. In case you experience frequent bouts of acid reflux, then you need take care of the size of your meals, avoid beverages like coffee, etc.

9. Thyroid Problems: 

It is very common for people with lupus to develop thyroid issue, which is an autoimmune disease. A poorly functioning thyroid can affect the vital organs such as brain, heart, kidneys and liver.

10. Dry Mouth And Dry Eyes: 

If you have lupus, then you can experience dry eyes and dry mouth. This occurs because people with lupus can develop Sjogren's disease, which is another kind of an autoimmune disease. This can cause the glands responsible for tears and saliva to be disrupted. Sometimes, women with this condition can also experience dryness of the vagina and skin.