What to Do Before Getting a Blood Test
Lupus is a long-term autoimmune affliction. An autoimmune affliction is when your immune organisation, which commonly helps protect the trunk and fight infections, attacks healthy tissues and organs instead.
This can crusade swelling and pain in any part of your trunk. If you have lupus, y'all might take symptoms similar joint pain, tiredness, fever, and skin rashes. Lupus can also crusade organ damage and other serious health issues.
There are several types of lupus, just systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the about mutual. There is no cure for lupus, just at that place are different medicines that you can utilise to manage it. Medicines and lifestyle adjustments can really improve your symptoms of lupus and reduce its touch on on your life.
Anyone tin develop lupus but some people may exist at higher risk. Some things that may put you at a higher risk for lupus are:
- Sex: Virtually 9 out of ten people diagnosed with lupus are females.
- Historic period: People between the ages of 14 to 45 are more likely to be diagnosed with lupus. This is when symptoms usually begin.
- Race: People from certain racial or ethnic groups may exist at higher risk of lupus. This includes Black or African American, Asian American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, or Pacific Islander populations.
- Family History: People with a family history of autoimmune disease are at higher chance for lupus. This is true even though no unmarried gene has been identified equally the cause of lupus.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Lupus?
Lupus tin can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms are like to other health conditions. As well, no two cases of lupus are exactly alike. In some cases, mild symptoms may develop slowly, coming on one at a time. In other cases, people may have sudden or severe symptoms.
The most mutual symptoms of lupus include:
- A rash on your cheeks and bridge of nose in the shape of a butterfly
- Skin rashes or lesions that announced or get worse with sun exposure
- Feeling really tired no matter how much residuum yous get
- Pain or stiffness in your joints and muscles
- Fever
- Headaches
- Hair loss
Other possible symptoms of lupus may include:
- Swelling in your hands and feet
- Fingers and toes that plough white or bluish when you are common cold and stressed
- Dry out eyes
- Sores in your mouth and nose
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pain
Most people with lupus feel flares or episodes. During flares your symptoms may become worse for a while before getting meliorate. They may even disappear altogether until the side by side flare happens.
Flares may be acquired past unlike things like:
- Contempo infections
- Reaction to a drug
- Exposure to sunlight
If you take any of the symptoms in this article, talk to your dr.. Your medico will help make up one's mind the cause of your symptoms and make a diagnosis. They may also refer you to a specialist known as a rheumatologist who has boosted training and experience with wellness atmospheric condition that affect your joints, muscles, and bones.
What Are the Tests for Lupus?
In that location is no single exam to diagnose lupus. Many unlike tests are used to get a better picture of your wellness status. Function of this process is ruling out other potential causes of your symptoms such as diabetes and arthritis.
Lupus is typically diagnosed based on a combination of:
- Reviewing your personal and family medical history
- Evaluating your symptoms
- Getting a physical wellness exam
- Running some blood and urine tests
- Getting images taken by your doctor to look for annihilation out of the ordinary
Some laboratory tests used to diagnose lupus are:
- Urine tests are 1 of the most common and easiest ways to brainstorm testing for lupus. The urine sample checks for high levels of red blood cells or proteins. This would mean your kidneys or liver are non working properly — which may be a sign of lupus.
- Consummate blood count is a blood examination that measures the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. If whatsoever of these are at different from typical levels, it may exist a sign of lupus.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a blood exam that shows how fast red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube. A faster rate may be a sign of many different health conditions, including lupus.
- Blood tests for kidney and liver function can tell if lupus is damaging these organs.
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) examination looks for a certain type of antibiotic that'due south more than common in people with lupus. Antibodies are proteins in your blood that defend against germs and illnesses. Just when you lot have an autoimmune disease like lupus, you may have antibodies that attack good for you tissue instead. A positive ANA test upshot doesn't necessarily mean you have lupus, but information technology'due south ane sign your doctor tin can use as function of your diagnosis.
Finally, depending on your symptoms, your dr. may ship y'all to have some imaging tests done. This could include:
- Chest 10-ray – this is done to encounter if there is any inflammation or fluid in your lungs.
- Echocardiogram – this is used to cheque for any visible issues with your eye.
Adjacent Steps If You Are Diagnosed With Lupus?
If you are diagnosed with lupus, your medico will advise you to have regular checkups including blood and urine tests to monitor your health and cheque for any other problems. They volition may also recommend a course of medications to care for your symptoms.
In addition to taking medications, there are a number of things you tin do to help manage your symptoms and preclude your condition from getting worse. Try some of the following:
- Practice sun safety — Avert straight sunlight by staying in the shade when possible. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, and vesture a hat when you lot are in the sun.
- Eat Salubrious – Eat a healthy counterbalanced diet with plenty of fruits, veggies, proteins and whole grains.
- Quit smoking – Smoking tin make lupus symptoms worse. So if you smoke, make a plan to quit.
- Motion more – Attempt to stay active even on days when y'all don't experience well. Try to step yourself likewise, to avoid getting too tired.
- Practice cocky-care – Stress can brand symptoms worse. Make time to practice things that reduce stress.
- Go support – Don't be afraid to ask for help from your family, friends and doctors. You may too desire to allow your employer know well-nigh your condition so they can conform your workload or provide flexible hours if y'all need it.
Resource Links:
- "Understanding Lupus" via Lupus Foundation of America
- "Lupus" via Mayo Dispensary
- "Lupus" via NHS
- "Lupus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" via Cleveland Clinic
- "Lupus" via MedlinePlus
- "Lupus Basics" via CDC
- "Lupus" via American College of Rheumatology
- "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)" via NIH
Source: https://www.symptomfind.com/healthy-living/symptoms-and-tests-of-lupus?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740013%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex