Systemic Lupus Specialist

What is systemic lupus?

Systemic lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your healthy tissues and organs. Over time, this causes inflammation, which can affect all of the systems throughout your body, including your joints, blood cells, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for systemic lupus. However, with early diagnosis and treatment, it’s possible to manage symptoms and prevent them from getting worse.

What are the symptoms of systemic lupus?

Systemic lupus affects everyone differently. Usually, symptoms develop slowly over time and become progressively worse. Telltale signs of lupus include:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Joint stiffness

• Joint swelling

• Shortness of breath 

• Chest pain

• Dry eyes

• Skin lesions

If you have systemic lupus, you might also experience neurological symptoms like headaches, confusion, or memory loss.

What causes systemic lupus?

Experts aren’t entirely sure what causes systemic lupus, but environmental factors and genetics may play a role. Additionally, several factors can trigger the onset of systemic lupus, including the use of certain prescription medications, a history of infections, or exposure to sunlight.

How is systemic lupus diagnosed?

To diagnose systemic lupus, your Advanced Arthritis and Rheumatology Center provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks about your symptoms. Next, they order blood or urine tests to rule out other potential causes. 

Depending on your symptoms, your provider might recommend a:

• Complete blood count

• Urinalysis

• Kidney and liver assessment

• Anti-nuclear antibody test with comprehensive testing ANA panel

• Radiographic evaluation

If your provider suspects that systemic lupus is affecting your lungs or heart, they might also order an echocardiogram or a chest X-ray.

How is systemic lupus treated?

Treatment for systemic lupus depends on the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your quality of life. Usually, the team at Advanced Arthritis and Rheumatology Center recommends a combination of healthy lifestyle changes and prescription medications.

This might include eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising regularly, and visiting the team at Advanced Arthritis and Rheumatology Center for regular checkups. You might also benefit from musculoskeletal injections, physical therapy, or immunosuppressants. Your provider may also suggest biological IV therapies if needed.

To explore your treatment options for systemic lupus, schedule an appointment at Advanced Arthritis and Rheumatology Center. Call the office or book online today.