Lupus is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system abnormally attacks the healthy cells and tissues within the body. Currently, the cause of lupus is unknown but there are treatment strategies available to help manage symptoms. Early symptoms of lupus vary amongst patients and often depend upon the body region affected by this condition. Speak with your doctor as soon as possible if you develop any of the common early symptoms of lupus.
Joint Pain
One of the most common early symptoms of lupus is joint pain. You can experience irritation, inflammation or stiffness within the joints throughout your body, which can interfere with your ability to freely move the affected joint. Swelling can cause joints to appear enlarged and can contribute to sensations of pain or tenderness at the affected site.
Malar Rash
The development of a butterfly-shaped rash (malar rash) on the facial skin is another early symptom of lupus. The malar rash is typically reddish in color and can appear on the cheeks or may spread across the bridge of the nose.
Flu-like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms can develop as early symptoms of lupus in certain people. Lupus causes the body to initiate an abnormal immune response against the healthy cells within the body. This can cause you to develop symptoms of inflammation and infection, including fever, muscle aches, fatigue and changes in body weight, explain doctors at the Mayo Clinic. These early symptoms of lupus typically persist and are unresponsive to traditional antibiotic treatment.
Difficulty Breathing
You can experience difficulty breathing as an early symptom of lupus. Certain people experience chest pain, wheezing or shortness of breath. You may notice that such symptoms are worst when you attempt to inhale.
Cognitive Difficulties
Some people experience cognitive difficulties. You can develop memory difficulties or may often feel confused or anxious. If such symptoms develop, you may find that you frequently misplace commonly used items, such as your car keys. It may also take you longer to answer simple questions during conversations with friends or coworkers due to mental processing difficulties caused by lupus.
Hair Loss
Hair loss--particularly from the scalp--can be an early symptom of lupus in certain people. You may also notice that your eyebrows or eyelashes begin to appear thin or sparse.
Anemia
You can develop anemia--a medical condition caused by inadequate levels of red blood cells within your blood--as an early symptom of lupus. Symptoms associated with anemia include fatigue, headache, pale skin, dizziness, difficulty breathing, heart rate abnormalities or loss of consciousness.
Sensitivity to Light
Lupus can cause certain patients to develop abnormal skin sensitivity to sunlight. You can develop red, inflamed skin lesions due to sun exposure, which may become dry, flaky, itchy or sore.
