Lupus is an autoimmune disease that changes how the body reacts when a perceived threat occurs. Stress, illness and sunlight can all trigger a harsh immune reaction that can affect any area of the body. This reaction can cause a wide variety of symptoms ranging from common to extremely rare.
Disease Process
Lupus is characterized by the inappropriate production of immune complexes. These immune complexes attack the body's own cells, resulting in inflammation of many areas of the body including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain.
Common Symptoms
The most common symptom of Lupus is a rash that runs across the nose and cheeks, known as a "butterfly" rash. Other common symptoms include arthritis-like joint pain and fatigue.
Oral
One rare symptom of Lupus is decreased saliva production. This can lead to dental decay, bad breath, and sores of the mouth and lips.
Neurological
Lupus can cause stroke-like symptoms known as transient ischemic attacks (or TIAs). These TIAs result in sudden onset of confusion, difficulty speaking and uncoordinated movement. Additionally, Lupus can cause a rare inflammation of the outer layer of the brain that can be particularly dangerous.
Cardiovascular
The heart can develop a number of problems due to Lupus including alterations in heart rhythm, damage to heart tissues, and inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart. Blood vessels throughout the body can be blocked by Lupus and result in decreased blood flow, particularly to the extremities.
Kidneys
One of the most dangerous effects of Lupus is kidney damage. Typically caused by either infection or reduced blood flow, the kidneys lose the ability to properly filter the blood.
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