Lupus is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune disease.
Nine out of 10 people with lupus are women.
Lupus symptoms can change over time and vary from person to person.
Symptoms include:
lightly or seriously
intermittent
It lasts for a short time or a long time.
lupus flares
Relapses occur when lupus symptoms worsen or new symptoms appear.
Symptoms of an outbreak include:
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Fever or flu-like symptoms that are not due to infection
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joint inflammation or pain
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fatigue
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Skin rash, tingling, or numbness
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Inflammation or ulcers in the mouth or nose
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swelling of the legs
Lupus triggers
Some common triggers that trigger lupus symptoms for the first time or worsen existing symptoms include:
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emotional stress
- take care of someone
- work stress
- financial problems
- sadness or loss
- Discrimination and Harassment
Childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are closely linked to lupus.
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air pollution
- there
- smog
- Silica dust, ozone and other suspended particles
-
fatigue or lack of sleep
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exposure to toxins and heavy metals
Monitoring your symptoms can help you identify and avoid triggers and prevent lupus flares.
This training material was prepared with support from Merck.
