In individuals with lupus, the immune system mistakenly & repeatedly attacks one’s own body tissues and organs, resulting in a lupus cascade and compromised function of involved organs.
Lupus can vary widely among individuals with respect to the factors triggering the lupus response, organs involved, and extent of organ involvement.
This variation in organs involved and extent of involvement contributes to the difference in presenting symptoms and their severity.
Individuals with an activation of lupus can present with the following symptoms:
Diffuse rash involving skin on various parts of the body. Lesions could be more common on the sun-exposed body parts, such as, face. Individuals with lupus involvement of the face can present with a typical butterfly rash, covering the cheeks and bridge of nose.
Attack of one’s immune system on the skeletal structures, such as bone tissue and joints, can result in inflammation of the involved bones and joints. This can result in local elevation of temperature in the joints involved, and severe bone & joint pains.
Inflammatory damage to the heart muscle and lining around the heart can result in sudden chest pain and acute episodes of shortness of breath.
Inflammatory damage to the red, white, and platelet cells in blood can result in anemia, increased risk for infection, and episodes of internal bleeding.
