Lupus: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

 

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system damages organs and tissues throughout your body. It creates inflammation, which can harm your skin, joints, blood, kidneys, lungs, and heart. A healthcare provider will assist you in finding medications to help control your symptoms and lessen the frequency with which you experience flare-ups.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose since its signs and symptoms frequently resemble those of other diseases. Lupus' most distinguishing feature, is a facial rash that resembles butterfly wings expanding across both cheeks, seen in many but not all cases of the disease.

Some people are predisposed to developing lupus, which can be caused by infections, specific medicines, or even sunshine. While there is no cure for lupus, certain drugs can help control symptoms.

Also Read: Brain diseases: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

What is lupus?

Consult a doctor if you get new pain, rashes, or changes in your skin, hair, or eyes. Lupus creates symptoms throughout the body. Every person with lupus has a unique combination and severity of symptoms, although these are some of the most common Lupus is an autoimmune disease that produces inflammation throughout the body. If you have lupus, your immune system harms your body rather than protecting it. Lupus can cause harm to your Body parts include skin, blood, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs.

Types of Lupus:

 Lupus is also known as systemic lupus erythematosus among healthcare workers.  This is the most common type of lupus.  It means you have lupus all throughout your body.  Other types include:

•  Cutaneous lupus erythematous: Lupus affects only the skin.

•  Drug-induced lupus occurs when a medicine causes lupus symptoms as a side effect.  In most cases, it is only temporary.  It may go away once you stop taking the prescription that caused it.

•  Neonatal lupus: Lupus can be present at birth.  Babies whose biological parents have lupus may be more likely to develop the disease.  However, they aren't guaranteed to have it.

Symptoms:

Lupus instances vary greatly. Signs and symptoms might appear suddenly or gradually, be minor or severe, temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have a mild disease marked by episodes — known as flares — in which signs and symptoms worsen for a while before improving or disappearing completely for a time.

Lupus symptoms vary depending on which body systems are impacted by the condition. The most common symptoms and signs are:

• Fatigue

•  Fever

• Joint discomfort

• Stiffness

• Edema

• Symptoms may include a butterfly-shaped rash on the face, rashes on other parts of the body, and skin lesions that increase after sun exposure

• Fingers and toes turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during periods of stress

• Shortness of breath

• Chest discomfort

• Dry eyes

• Headaches, confusion, and memory loss

Causes:

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system assaults healthy tissue in the body.  Lupus is most likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

People with a genetic predisposition for lupus may develop the disease if they come into contact with something in their environment that can cause lupus. In most situations, the cause of lupus remains unknown. Some probable triggers are:

• Sunlight. Sun exposure may cause lupus skin lesions or an internal response in those who are predisposed.

• Infections. In some cases, an infection can cause lupus to develop or relapse.

• Medications. Certain blood pressure and seizure medications, as well as antibiotics, can cause lupus. People with drug-induced lupus frequently improve if they stop taking the medicine. In rare cases, symptoms may continue even after the drug is stopped.

Risk Factors:

The following factors may raise your risk of developing lupus:

• Your sex. Lupus is more common in women.

• Age. Lupus can affect persons of any age; however, it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45.

• Race. Lupus is more common among African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans.

Complications:

 Lupus-related inflammation can affect numerous parts of your body, including:

•  Kidneys.  Lupus can cause serious kidney damage, and kidney failure is a leading cause of mortality among lupus patients.

•  Brain and central nervous system.  Lupus can cause headaches, dizziness, behavioral changes, vision issues, and even strokes or seizures in the brain.  Many people with lupus suffer from memory problems and may struggle to explain their thoughts.

•  Blood and blood vessels.  Lupus can cause blood issues, such as a low number of healthy red blood cells (anemia) and an increased risk of bleeding or blood clots.  It can cause inflammation of the blood vessels.

• Lungs. Lupus increases your risk of having an inflammation of the chest cavity lining, which can make breathing difficult. Bleeding into the lungs and pneumonia are both possibilities.
• Heart. Lupus may cause inflammation of the heart muscle, arteries, and membrane. The risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks increases greatly as well.

Other forms of complications.

 Lupus also increases the chance of:

•  Infection.  People with lupus are more susceptible to infection since the disease and its treatments may weaken the immune system.

•  Cancer.  Lupus appears to raise your risk of cancer, but the danger is low.

•  Bone tissue death.  This happens when a bone's blood flow is reduced, which commonly results in tiny breaks in the bone and, finally, collapse.

•  Pregnancy problems.  Women who have lupus are more likely to miscarry.  Lupus increases the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and premature birth.  To reduce the chance of severe consequences, doctors frequently recommend delaying pregnancy until your disease has been controlled for at least six months.

How is Lupus diagnosed?

Lupus will be diagnosed by a healthcare provider after a physical exam and some testing. They will inquire about the symptoms you are experiencing. Tell your provider when you first noticed any symptoms or changes in your body. Your provider will inquire about your medical history, including any current ailments and how you are managing them.

Lupus can be tricky to diagnose because it affects so many different sections of the body. And it causes a variety of symptoms. Even minor changes or issues that appear strange can be significant. Don't be scared to tell your provider what you've felt or sensed. You are the most familiar with your own body.

Tests used

 No one test can confirm a lupus diagnosis. It is typically diagnosed as part of a differential diagnosis. This means that your doctor will most likely do several tests to discover the reason for your symptoms. Before diagnosing lupus, they will rule out other, more common conditions. You may need:

• Blood testing can determine how well your immune system is functioning. They can also assist your doctor in checking for infections or other problems, such as anemia or low blood cell counts.

• Urinalysis: This test examines your urine for evidence of infection or another health problem.

• An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: This detects antibodies. Antibodies are protein markers that indicate your body's history of battling infections. People with lupus typically have antibodies that indicate that their immune system has been highly active.

• A biopsy of the skin or renal tissue: A biopsy can determine whether your immune system has damaged them.

Lupus treatments:

 Your healthcare professional will recommend remedies for managing the symptoms.  The goal is to minimize organ damage and the impact of lupus on your daily life.  You'll probably require a combination of medications.  They can reduce the frequency of flare-ups and the severity of symptoms when they occur.  Some of the most common SLE medications are:

•  Hydroxychloroquine: is a prescription medication used to treat malaria.  It can help with lupus symptoms and slow down their progression.

• NSAIDs: These over-the-counter pain medicines also reduce inflammation. Your doctor will advise you which type of NSAID is best for you and how frequently you should take it. Do not take NSAIDs for more than ten days in a row without consulting your doctor.

• Corticosteroids: are prescribed as anti-inflammatory medications. Prednisone is a popular corticosteroid used to treat lupus. Your physician may prescribe pills that you take orally. They may administer medication straight into one of your joints.

• Immunosuppressants: These medications suppress your immune system and prevent it from being as active. They can assist in preventing tissue damage and inflammation.

• Biologics: Belimumab (Benlysta), an intravenous medication, also lowers lupus symptoms in some people. Nausea, diarrhea, and infections are some of the possible side effects. Depression can sometimes worsen. 

You may require additional medications or treatments for managing specific lupus symptoms or other health issues. If you have anemia, high blood pressure, or osteoporosis due to lupus, you may require treatment.

How can I prevent lupus flare-ups?

To prevent and reduce lupus flare-ups, avoid activities that cause symptoms, such as:

• Avoiding sun exposure: Some people can develop lupus symptoms after spending too much time in the sun. Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear long sleeves, a hat, or sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 50.

• Staying active: Joint pain can make it hard to move. However, moving and carefully using your joints can be the most effective strategy to relieve symptoms such as pain and stiffness. Walking, riding, swimming, yoga, and tai chi are all excellent ways to move your body without causing undue stress on your joints. Inquire with your provider about which activities are safest for you.

• Getting enough sleep and maintaining your mental health: Living with lupus can be frustrating. Getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours for adults) and managing stress can help some people prevent flare-ups. A mental health expert can help you establish good coping mechanisms.

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). Lupus (https://www.cdc.gov/lupus/about/index.html). Last reviewed 5/15/2024. Accessed 11/2/2025.

• He Y, et al. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus: An update on drugs and mechanisms. Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2018; doi:10.1097/BOR.0000000000000522.

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (U.S.). Overview of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) (https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus). Last reviewed 10/2022. Accessed 11/2/2025.

• American College of Rheumatology. Lupus (https://rheumatology.org/patients/lupus). Last updated 2/2025. Accessed 11/2/2025.

• Arthritis Foundation. Lupus (https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/lupus). Accessed 11/2/2025.

• Dorner T, et al. Novel paradigms in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lancet. 2019; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30546-X.

• Wallace DJ, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 2, 2020.

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (U.S.). Overview of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) (https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus). Last reviewed 10/2022. Accessed 11/2/2025.

• Office on Women’s Health (U.S.). Lupus (https://www.womenshealth.gov/lupus). Last updated 2/18/2021. Accessed 11/2/2025.

• Yung S, et al. A review of advances in the understanding of lupus nephritis pathogenesis as a basis for emerging therapies. F1000Research. 2020; doi:10.12688/f1000research.22438.1.

• Wallace DJ. Overview of the management and prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 2, 2020.

• Ferri FF. Systemic lupus erythematosus. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2021. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 2, 2020.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus. Accessed Nov. 2, 2020.