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Lupus Symptoms in Women
by Shaun Damon
Lupus is a chronic condition which causes your immune system to mistakenly attack the healthy cells and tissues of your body. While this disorder can affect both men and women, it is 10 times more commonly seen in women between the ages of 15 and 45.
The signs and symptoms of lupus may widely vary from one person to another. While some people do not even realize that they are suffering from this disorder, others experience several symptoms. Given below are some of the most common lupus symptoms in women:
- Anemia
- Appearance of a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose
- Chest pain, which worsens when you breathe in deeply
- Confusion
- Fever without any apparent cause
- Hair loss
- Increased sensitivity to the sun or light
- Localized of widespread rash on the skin
- Muscle pain
- Pain and stiffness in the joints, sometimes accompanied by swelling
- Raynaud’s phenomenon (purple or pale fingers and toes due to stress or the cold)
- Renal problems
- Severe fatigue
- Unexplained changes in body weight
- Weak memory
- Weakness
Some of the symptoms of lupus that are not as common as the ones mentioned above include:
- Dryness in the eyes
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Severe headaches
- Sores in the mouth and nose
- Seizures
- Blood clots
For most women, these signs and symptoms are sporadic as they come and go. People suffering from lupus often experience flares, during which the symptoms are at their worst.
One of the early symptoms of lupus in women is severe fatigue. You may find yourself getting tired after performing simple, day-to-day activities. In case you also notice the appearance of lesions or a rash on your skin, do consult your health care provider immediately.
Lupus is often mistaken for other disorders, which is why it is hard to diagnose. In case you experience any of the symptoms, your health care provide may advise you to undergo certain diagnostic tests, which include:
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for lupus, though you can keep the condition in check by undergoing timely treatment. Some of the drugs prescribed for the disorder include:
- Immunosuppressive agents
- Antimalarial medicines
- Corticosteroids
- NSAIDS
- BLyS specific inhibitors
The main goals of lupus treatment are:
- Preventing flare ups
- Reducing damage to the organs and other systems
- Alleviating the pain and other symptoms
- Calming down the immune system
It is imperative that your doctor review your treatment plan on a regular basis, to ensure that it is working. You may also be advised to incorporate a few lifestyle changes to enhance the effectiveness of drug therapy.
References
- http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/lupus.cfm
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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