Recognizable Symptoms Of Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and various other organs. Over sixteen thousand new cases of lupus develop each year, and five million people worldwide suffer from the disease. It occurs when the immune system creates antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue causing pain, damage, and inflammation. Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than any other gender or race. The following are some of the more common symptoms of lupus.

Fever

Developing a low-grade fever for no apparent reason is a symptom of lupus. As the fever does not typically reach over one hundred and one degrees Fahrenheit, you will not need to seek immediate treatment, but make sure you keep your doctor informed of how long the fever lasts and any other symptoms that accompany it. A low-grade fever is a sign of inflammation in the body, which is a classic symptom of lupus. It could mean your body is experiencing an infection or flare-up.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a relatively common symptom of most autoimmune diseases. According to the John Hopkins Lupus Center, approximately ninety percent of people with lupus reported experiencing some level of fatigue. If you begin to notice that you feel tired during the day even after a full night’s sleep, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Going to bed an hour earlier each night might help give you the boost you need to get through the next day.