Being a very serious disease, systemic lupus erythematosus can present in many different ways. Often, at first, people do not pay attention to pain, problems with immunity. This is where the danger lies. There is a certain category of people who are at risk and can get sick with SLE. What are the symptoms and diagnosis of this disease?
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Symptoms will be discussed later. First you need to understand who and how this disease affects. SLE is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation. This happens when the immune system begins to perceive the cells of its own body as hostile and attacks them. Due to such a reaction of immunity to the body, organ damage occurs in a severe form. The disease got its name because of the main symptom - large red foci that resemble the bite of a wolf.
BThe highest risk group are women from twenty to forty years. Moreover, this disease occurs more often in dark-skinned patients, but less often in whites. But at the same time, in principle, anyone can get sick. SLE is usually chronic and requires long and difficult treatment. Exacerbations may occur periodically. In such cases, long-term anti-inflammatory therapy is carried out.
Reason for development
Despite the advancement of modern technology and research methods, the reasons why a person develops systemic lupus erythematosus, the symptoms of which in most cases do not manifest themselves immediately, have not yet been clarified. The disease is based on a chronic autoimmune process, an inflammation that causes the body to develop antibodies against its own DNA. So, there is a destruction of connective tissue cells not only of the skin, but also of entire organs and systems. That is why SLE presents with so many symptoms. Doctors, even knowing the whole clinical picture, often think about this disease in the very last place. Therefore, you should know how systemic lupus erythematosus manifests itself.
Symptoms
It begins with the defeat of one or several organs at once. From that moment on, primary symptoms appear in the form of pain in the joints and muscles, swelling, which may be associated with arthritis, a rash on the bridge of the nose and cheeks in the form of a "butterfly". These will be red persistent spots, plaques, which can also appear on the scalp. Hair loss occurs inseveral foci. Ulcers appear on the mucous membrane of the mouth and nose. Patients feel the skin a special sensitivity to light. Further, depressive states, psychosis, anxiety may occur, accompanied by decreased vision, nausea and diarrhea. One of the most frequent complaints of patients is fever, headaches, weakness and fatigue. If there is a suspicion of such a disease, you should immediately contact a specialist. Folk remedies do not treat systemic lupus erythematosus.
Laboratory diagnostics
To begin with, the doctor performs a detailed examination and questioning of the patient. Further, special diagnostic procedures are prescribed based on the existing symptoms. Blood tests for antinuclear antibodies and DNA will be mandatory. A study of blood biochemistry and urine analysis is carried out. This is how systemic lupus erythematosus is defined. In this case, analyzes will have to be taken repeatedly in order to track the course of the disease and its dynamics.
Patient actions
If you find symptoms of this nature in yourself or someone close to you, you should immediately contact a therapist who will confirm or refute the diagnosis. If systemic lupus erythematosus, the symptoms of which you already know, is confirmed, you need to carefully monitor your well-being.
SLE and pregnancy
Patients who are pregnant or who are about to become pregnant should consult a doctor first. This disease has itsfeatures of the course both during pregnancy and during childbirth. This disease is not a sentence at all. Although it is not completely cured, it can be put into remission. With the right and responsible approach to treatment, the patient can normally bear and give birth to a child without complications.
