7 Common Ways to Catch Lupus Symptoms

Lupus is a common chronic autoimmune disease mainly misdiagnosed as its symptoms pop up in other health complications. That is why you need a highly experienced provider with extensive experience diagnosing the condition like Jeffrey Miller, MD, who effectively diagnoses lupus in Tampa. Additionally, understanding the ways to detect and differentiate lupus symptoms from other conditions is critical to minimize the chances of misdiagnosis. With the following tips, you can help catch and treat the condition effectively on time. Follow through to understand better.

Watch Out for Butterfly Rashes

Most patients who have been diagnosed with lupus have been found to have a characteristic rash on the face that appears like a butterfly. The rash mainly spans across the nose and cheeks and often flares on the entire cheeks. Sometimes the rash also covers some portion of the skin near the eyes. Also, note if the rash is triggered or worsened by sunlight. Such indicates possible lupus, and you should report to your doctor upon noticing such symptoms.

Check for Sores Around Your Mouth or Nose

Frequent sores inside your nose, along the side of your mouth, on your mouth’s roof, or in your gums can indicate lupus. In most cases, lupus-associated sores are not sore and often are pain-free. Additionally, if you notice your sores worsen with sunlight exposure, it strongly indicates lupus.

Note Inflammation Signs

Experiencing inflammation in your lungs, joints, and your heart’s lining is mainly associated with lupus. This can also be accompanied by inflammation of your blood vessels, and you can notice the inflammation and swelling on your eyes, hands, legs, and feet. For inflamed joints, they will feel warm and tender and appear red and swollen. For the heart and lung inflammation, you can detect it based on chest pain. That is why you should never ignore any chest pain.

Check Your Urine

Lupus may affect the kidney disrupting its function and hence cause some urine abnormalities. Although you might not detect the abnormalities at home, your doctor can carry some tests on your urine sample to evaluate the signs. However, you can also observe other symptoms due to kidney function alteration, such as swollen feet, nausea, or weakness.

Note Any Brain or Nervous System Complications

Lupus has been found to affect the nervous system and may cause problems like vision complications, headaches, and anxiety. While such symptoms may not directly indicate lupus, others such as a change in personality and seizures are more serious and highly attributed to lupus. However, please do not ignore any degree of a headache as it may indicate many health complications and are more common with lupus.

Notice Fatigue

If you feel like you are more fatigued than usual, it could be caused by lupus. Although several other factors can cause fatigue, most factors causing extreme fatigue can be linked to lupus. If you experience fever alongside fatigue, this is a more concrete indicator of lupus, and you can be more certain.

Watch for Strange Changes in Your Body

Lupus can also cause other abnormal changes in your body, such as a color change in your toes or fingers from white to blue. You can also experience shortness of breath and dry eyes, and when all these symptoms occur altogether, high possibilities are that you are dealing with lupus.

Dr. Miller can help you understand lupus symptoms better and get an accurate diagnosis to manage the condition effectively. Reach out to the Osteoporosis and Rheumatology Center of Tampa Bay today to book your consultation appointment.