According to Lupus.org, around 1.5 million people in the U.S. are living with lupus. This complicated and often misunderstood disease can affect people in different ways. Many people have heard of lupus, but they don’t know exactly what it is.
If you’re one of them, read on to learn more.
What Is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs, resulting in damage, fever, and joint pain. Unfortunately, this disease can be very challenging to diagnose. Even those who know the diagnosis can struggle since there’s no cure, and lupus can significantly affect the quality of life.
What Does Lupus Feel Like?
Lupus can have numerous symptoms resembling other diseases, making it hard to diagnose. Plus, not all people have all the symptoms.
Most people suffering from lupus experience pain similar to what you experience when you have the flu. Usually, pain comes with hypersensitivity. This means that everything a person with lupus touches can cause intense pain. The pain typically moves from joint to joint and varies in strength, leaving the patients exhausted and numb.
Besides pain, people with lupus often experience headaches, swelling in their hands and feet, low fevers, and sensitivity to sunlight. Skin and hair problems are also common.
Of course, having some of these symptoms doesn’t mean you have lupus. But you should still see your doctor and find out the cause.
Understand Lupus
Although there’s currently no cure for lupus, scientists are working on finding effective treatments. Patients can do a lot to manage the symptoms and improve their quality of life. Different medication and alternative medicine can be very helpful. Before starting any treatments, be sure to consult your doctor.
