Arthralgia may appear in patients who have systemic lupus erythematosus. This is an autoimmune disorder and is systemic in nature. It can impact locations throughout the patient's body. For short, the illness is often called lupus, as well as SLE.

Symptoms

Various symptoms can appear in a case of lupus, and often they are similar to those found in other conditions. Arthralgia, or joint pain, is something that the patient may experience. Fever is a frequent symptom. Muscle pain is also commonly noted. The person may have a general sense of being unwell or feeling uncomfortable. Exhaustion is also often found in patients with this disease. Cognitive function may be lost for a brief period of time.

Frequently, anemia shows up in patients with SLE. This happens somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 percent of the time. Issues related to the skin may be present. In particular, the so-called butterfly rash that is associated with this illness may occur. Skin lesions, as well as scaly patches that are red in color are possible. Heart inflammation may be involved in a person with lupus. One way in which this can show up is pericarditis, that is, pericardium inflammation. Pulmonary hypertension is one of the symptoms that may show up related to the lungs.

Causes

Systemic lupus erythematosus does not have one particular, known cause. Different factors seem to be involved in its development. Genetics does appear to be involved, although no particular gene has been noted. There may also be triggers that are based on environmental factors. For instance, viruses and bacteria have been considered, although none has yet been associated with the illness in a steady manner.

Diagnosis

Due to the similarity of symptoms found in SLE with those in other conditions, the doctor may check for possible differential diagnoses. As far as checking for lupus itself, one of the main tests used is antinuclear antibody. The other of the typical two blood tests employed is anti-extractable nuclear antigen. Diagnostic criteria can also be taken into account.

Treatment

A doctor or other professional is involved in selecting a method of treatment for a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. There are various options in the way of medication. People with this illness may also avoid sunlight, since it can worsen the situation. Exposure to some things found in particular jobs may worsen a case of SLE, and therefore being exposed to those items should be avoided.