What Is Lupus? - Lupus Foundation of America
WEBJul 31, 2020 · Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead. Lupus most commonly affects your: Skin. Joints.
What is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? - Lupus Foundation …
WEBAug 23, 2024 · Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). This is also called “lupus with central nervous system (CNS) involvement.”. This means that a person’s lupus is causing symptoms that affect their brain, like headaches, trouble thinking, memory loss, seizures, or stroke. Experts are learning more about NPSLE, but they estimate that more than 1 …
How Lupus Affects The Skin | Lupus Foundation of America
WEBAug 26, 2021 · Subacute cutaneous lupus causes a red scaly rash or red ring-shaped sores. It usually happens on skin that gets sunlight, like the neck and arms. Acute cutaneous lupus causes a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose that looks like a sunburn (called malar rash). Sometimes it affects other body parts, like the arms and legs.
Lupus Symptoms | Lupus Foundation of America
WEBJul 25, 2023 · Sensitivity to sunlight or fluorescent light. Chest pain when breathing deeply. Many people with lupus also have problems that affect their skin and hair, like: A butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose. Hair loss. Sores in the mouth or nose. Fingers and toes turning white or blue and feeling numb when a person is cold or stressed (Raynaud ...
Diagnosing lupus - Lupus Foundation of America
WEBApr 20, 2020 · Diagnosing lupus can be challenging. There’s no single test that can give doctors a “yes” or “no” answer. Sometimes it can take months—or even years—to gather all the right information. Making a lupus diagnosis is kind of like putting together a puzzle. Your doctor will look at several different puzzle pieces: your symptoms ...
Lab Tests for Lupus | Lupus Foundation of America
WEBRoutine blood tests. Usually, your doctor will first request a complete blood count (CBC). Your blood is made up of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets and serum. The complete blood count measures the levels of each. In cases of lupus, these blood tests may reveal low numbers. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of ...
Medications used to treat lupus | Lupus Foundation of America
WEBAug 4, 2021 · Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a type of antimalarial medicine. Antimalarials work by reducing autoantibodies (proteins in the blood that attack healthy cells and tissues). Doctors use antimalarials to treat malaria, but these medicines can also treat lupus by: Reducing pain and inflammation. Preventing lupus flares and helping with lupus ...
Treating lupus: a guide | Lupus Foundation of America
WEBMay 13, 2020 · A doctor will need to prescribe some of them – others are available over the counter. The most common medicines used to treat lupus include: Anticoagulants to help prevent blood clots. Anti-inflammatories to help with inflammation and pain. Antimalarials to protect skin from rashes and UV light.
The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test - Lupus Foundation of America
WEBAug 20, 2021 · If your doctor says your ANA test is “positive,” that means you have antinuclear antibodies in your blood — but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have lupus. In fact, a large portion of patients with a positive ANA do not have lupus. Diagnosing lupus is like putting together a puzzle. There’s no single test that can give doctors a yes ...
Understanding lupus: a guide | Lupus Foundation of America
WEBOct 17, 2018 · Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation (swelling) and pain any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, meaning that your immune system attacks healthy tissue (tissue is what our organs are made of). Lupus most commonly affects the skin, joints, and internal organs — like your kidneys or lungs.