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What are the warning signs of lupus? |
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Symptoms of lupus vary from person to person. In some people lupus disease will be mild with periods of activity or inflammation (flare-ups) and inactivity (remissions). Other people will experience lupus symptoms continuously, and the disease will worsen over time. Here are the most common lupus symptoms:
* Pain in the muscles and joints of the hands, arms, shoulders, feet, knees, hips or jaw. The pain may move from area to area and may cause swelling, heat or redness in the skin.
* Fever and loss of appetite.
* Low energy and fatigue.
* Skin rashes. A “butterfly rash” across the cheeks and bridge of the nose often signals lupus. A mild form of lupus called discoid lupus causes a red, scaly rash on the face, scalp, ears, arms or chest.
* Small, usually painless sores in the moist lining of the mouth or nose called mucosal ulcers.
* Sensitivity to sunlight.
* Changes in the colour of the fingers when they are cold.
* Sudden and unexplained weight loss or weight gain.
* Increase in the number and severity of headaches.
* Increase in loss of hair over the whole scalp.
* Chest pain when lying down or taking deep breaths
* Ongoing high blood pressure
* Swelling of the feet and legs
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