Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Alternate Names : Lupus
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
Because SLE affects so many different parts of the body,
the disease has many signs and symptoms. These are best listed by organ system.
Signs and symptoms that affect the whole body:
fatigue
fever
loss of appetite
nausea
weight loss
Signs and symptoms that affect the skin:
hives
loss of scalp hair
red "butterfly rash" on the face, which extends over the cheeks and bridge
of the nose in the shape of a butterfly
red, raised rashes in
areas exposed to the sun
sensitivity to the sun
ulcers of the mouth, nose, or vagina
Symptoms and signs that affect the muscles, bones, and joints:
arthritis
hand deformities
joint pain,
especially in the hands, wrists, and knees
loss of the blood supply to bone, especially hips and shoulders
muscle pains and weakness
serious infection within a joint
Signs and symptoms of kidney involvement:
blood in the urine
decrease in kidney function or kidney failure
protein in the urine
white blood cells in the urine
Signs and symptoms affecting the nervous system:
bleeding in the brain, known as
intracerebral hemorrhage
headaches, including
migraines
loss of coordination
memory loss,
problems with concentration
numbness, pain, or a feeling of "pins and needles" in the hands and feet
problems with the major nerves in the head and face
seizures
strokes
Signs and symptoms involving the blood:
anemia, which is a low red blood cell count
low blood platelet count
low white blood cell count
problems with both blood clotting and bleeding
Signs and symptoms involving the heart:
fluid collection in the sac around the heart, known as pericardial
effusion
heart attack
heart valve problems
inflammation and infection in the heart
inflammation of the lining of the heart
Signs and symptoms involving the lungs:
cough, including
coughing up blood
fluid in the lung
inflammation in the lung
inflammation of the lining of the lungs
shortness of
breath
Signs and symptoms affecting the digestive system:
abdominal distress
diarrhea
enlargement of the liver
intestinal perforation due to inflammation of blood vessels
loss of appetite
nausea and
vomiting
rectal bleeding caused by ulcerations
Symptoms and signs affecting the eye:
blindness
conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the outer lining of the
eye
damage to the retina, which may cause visual impairments
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