Path to Understanding Lupus

May is Lupus Awareness Month. The disease strikes women much more often than men. In fact, 90% of people with lupus are women, usually diagnosed between ages 15 and 44.

If you suffer from lupus or suspect that you might, the Lupus Foundation of America is a good resource. Lupus is a difficult disease to understand and explain to others because it has so many various symptoms, and it affects people differently. The disease is also very unpredictable with lots of flares and remissions. If you’re unsure how to explain lupus to others, read the Lupus Foundation of America’s Explaining Lupus to Others page online for some helpful tips.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, common symptoms of lupus (for men and women) include:

extreme fatigue (tiredness)
headaches
painful or swollen joints
fever
anemia (low numbers of red blood cells or hemoglobin, or low total blood volume)
swelling (edema) in feet, legs, hands, and/or around eyes
pain in chest on deep breathing (pleurisy)
butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
sun- or light-sensitivity (photosensitivity)
hair loss
abnormal blood clotting
fingers turning white and/or blue when cold (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
mouth or nose ulcers

There are several forms of lupus, but the most common is systemic lupus, which can be mild or severe, affecting major organs.

Some people even suffer from drug-induced lupus, brought on by meds such as hydralazine, procainamide or isoniazid. After the offending drug is discontinued, symptoms usually go away within six months.

Has lupus affected your life?

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