How to Detect Lupus
Lupus is a medical condition related to the body's immune system. It has difficulty differentiating between foreign bodies and its own tissue. This results in antibody attacks leading to inflammation of the joints, skin and lungs. Diagnosis is often confusing since so many of the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Physicians diagnose lupus through blood work and urine testing. The analysis can take several months to complete.
Symptoms of Lupus
- Hair loss. This is due to the skin inflammation caused by lupus. Fortunately, it is usually neither permanent nor complete.
- Tightness of the chest area resulting from a fluid buildup around the heart and lungs.
- Swelling and retaining water in feet, legs and hands.
- Butterfly rash, which covers the bridge of the nose, extending to the cheeks.
- Mouth ulcers are one of the most common features of the disease, Like most lupus-related conditions, they occur during flare ups, not on a continuous basis.
- Inflammation around the chest cavity, heart and kidneys.
- Low blood count
- Chronic fatigue
- Grey finger tips, especially in cold weather.
The Testing Process
- Red and white blood count platelets, as well as hemoglobin.
- Kidney and liver functionality.
- Check for high protein or red blood cells in urine.
- Check the immune system to for antibody functionality.
- Chest x-ray to determine how much inflammation exists around the chest cavity, heart and lungs.
Some individuals afflicted with lupus have all of the symptoms but most have only a few of them. Lupus can be a very painful disease, making life difficult for those affected. However, in recent years people have been able to live more comfortable and fulfilled lives with the development of medications which effectively treat Lupus.