Symptoms of Lupus

Lupus looks different in each patient. Sometimes people have mild signs that have little effect on their daily routine. In other cases, symptoms are severe and diminish one’s quality of life. Most people experience flares in which symptoms worsen for a period and then ease for a time. The following are key indicators of lupus:

• Fever
• Anemia
• Seizures
• Dry eyes
• Hair loss
• Tiredness
• Chest pain
• Blood clots
• Headaches
• Depression
• Weight loss
• Mouth sores
• Stomach pain
• Swollen glands
• Shortness of breath
• Joint and muscle pain
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Heart, kidney, and lung problems
• Memory loss and general confusion
• Skin lesions that worsen with sunlight exposure
• Rashes (including a butterfly-shaped marking on the face)
• Discoloration of fingers and toes in certain situations (Raynaud’s phenomenon)

Diagnosing lupus can be challenging because the disease shares signs with other conditions. Consulting a rheumatologist or other specialist with expertise in lupus is the best way to obtain an accurate diagnosis and rule out other diseases and disorders that may be causing the symptoms.

Risk Factors for Lupus

Doctors and researchers are still unsure of the exact cause of lupus. The evidence suggests that certain factors drive risk for the disease, including genetics, environment, and hormones. As mentioned, medications can lead to drug-induced lupus. Certain antibiotics, blood pressure pills, and anti-seizure prescriptions have been shown to cause this form of lupus. Additionally, people susceptible to lupus may develop the condition if they have too much exposure to sunlight.

While anyone can contract lupus, healthcare professionals have observed that certain people are more at risk for the autoimmune disease than others. The following factors increase a person’s risk for developing lupus:

• Sex: 90% of people with lupus are women.
• Race/ethnicity: People of African American, Asian American, Latin American, Native American, and Pacific Islander descent are more likely to have lupus than people of European ancestry.
• Age: Most lupus diagnoses occur in people between the ages of 15 and 45 years.
• Family history: People with family members who have or had lupus or another autoimmune disease may be more likely than the general population to develop the condition.

Diagnosing Lupus

Because diagnosing lupus can be difficult, most physicians begin by asking patients about their family history, personal medical history, and symptoms. From there, they may run laboratory and imaging tests to look for abnormalities. These include:

• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: This test searches for specific antibodies, or proteins the immune system creates. Most people with lupus test positive for ANAs, but not all positive tests mean a person has lupus.
• Biopsy: If lupus affects the kidneys, it may influence treatment choices. Doctors may collect a small sample of kidney tissue to identify the best therapeutic option.
• Chest X-ray: This imaging technique may show irregular shadows denoting inflammation of the lungs.
• Complete blood count (CBC): This test can determine if a person has anemia, a common symptom of lupus. It measures red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin.
• Echocardiogram: This assessment can detect issues with the heart and its chambers and valves by using sound waves to generate real-time images.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: This test gauges the rate at which red blood cells reach the bottom of a tube in one hour. An above-average rate suggests a systemic issue, with possibilities including lupus, among many others.
• Kidney and liver test: Because lupus impacts the kidneys and liver, these screenings observe how well those organs are functioning.
• Urinalysis: A urine sample with above normal protein levels or red blood cells may indicate that lupus is damaging the kidneys.

No cure currently exists for lupus. As a result, most treatments help manage symptoms and mitigate damage to affected organs. Treatment for lupus depends on the patient’s specific symptoms, but some options include:

• Medications: Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are some of the medications most commonly prescribed for lupus.
• Lifestyle changes: A physician may recommend that a patient change his or her diet, implement an exercise routine, protect the skin from the sun, and avoid smoking to prevent flares.

Infusion Therapy at Regional Cancer Care Associates

Many of the medications used to treat lupus are given via intravenous infusion. Regional Cancer Associates administer infusion therapy for patients with lupus and other autoimmune diseases, as well as for cancers, benign blood disorders, and other chronic conditions.

Patients may obtain infusion therapy prescribed by their specialist at one of RCCA’s many community-based care locations, where they will find experienced doctors, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals. Besides administering the treatment, these compassionate providers spend time counseling and educating patients on their condition, how infusion therapy works, and potential side effects.

The patient’s condition and medication will dictate the number and frequency of infusion therapy appointments, as well as how long it takes to receive the infusion. No matter the nature of a patient’s regimen, the attentive medical staff is always available to ease concerns and answer questions. They strive to maintain a welcoming atmosphere to ensure that each patient is as comfortable as possible during treatment.

Why Choose Regional Cancer Care Associates?

The highly skilled clinicians of Regional Cancer Care Associates treat tens of thousands of patients every year and have extensive experience and expertise with infusion therapy.

One of the most significant advantages of Regional Cancer Care Associates is the potential for patients to have lower out-of-pocket costs than they would pay in a hospital setting. Patients may also seek financial assistance for help navigating the overall cost of care.

Obtain Infusion Therapy for Lupus in NJ, CT, & MD

Living with lupus can be difficult for patients given its many symptoms. With the proper treatment, people can better manage their symptoms and experience higher quality of life. To learn more about infusion therapy for lupus and other autoimmune condition, cancer, blood disorders, and other chronic medical conditions at Regional Cancer Care Associates, visit one of the locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area.