1. Note if You're Feeling Sluggish and Achy
Two of the most significant symptoms of the early stages of lupus are feelings of extremely tiredness and joint pain. Lupus is an inflammatory disease in which your body's immune system essentially attacks itself. If you have inflammation around your heart, you may also feel aches and pains when breathing deeply. If you experience swollen, achy joints similar to those associated with arthritis, along with unexplained fatigue and possibly headaches that make you feel sluggish, talk to your doctor about the possibility of lupus being the cause.
2. Monitor Body-Temperature Issues
Many people who have lupus develop fevers in the early stages of the disease. Your body temperature may hover around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but can go higher at times. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can be used by most people with lupus, both to bring down a fever and to relieve joint pain. On the other end of the body-temperature spectrum, you may develop Raynaud's phenomenon as an early symptom of the autoimmune condition. Raynaud's phenomenon affects the blood circulation to your skin and causes your fingers to turn blue or white when they are cold. You may also be more sensitive to the sun or artificial light if you have lupus.
3. Watch For Skin Rashes
Be able to identify skin rashes that are consistent with early lupus. One of the most prominent types of rash is referred to as a "butterfly rash," due to the fact that it appears on your cheeks and over your nose in the shape of a butterfly. Once you are diagnosed with lupus, your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to treat your rashes.
4. Note Nervous-System Involvement
Lupus can affect many parts of your body, including your nervous system. In addition to the early physical symptoms of lupus that you experience, pay attention to how you feel emotionally. Anxiety and depression are common symptoms of a variety of illnesses, including lupus. Speak to your doctor if you suspect you have lupus and are feeling emotionally unstable at times.
