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Serious Conditions Associated With Lupus
Although lupus can be well controlled
in many people, serious medical
conditions caused by or associated
with the disease can still occur. It is
important that you know about these
conditions and how they may make you
feel so that you can call your doctor
right away. The sooner a problem is
detected and evaluated, the sooner it
can be treated to prevent or reduce
damage to your body's organs.
Kidney disease: Many people with
lupus develop some form of mild kidney
disease. Others, however, develop
kidney disease serious enough to lead to
kidney failure. Warning signs include:
- swelling around your ankles,
hands, and eyes
- increased fatigue or tiredness,
especially if you have not altered
your rest and activity patterns
- increased need to urinate at
night.
Pericarditis: This is an inflammation of
the thin sac that surrounds the heart.
Warning signs include:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- new or higher-than-usual fever.
Myocarditis: This is an inflammation of
the heart muscle. Warning signs include:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- new or higher-than-usual fever.
Atherosclerosis: This is a condition in
which fatty deposits build up on the
inside of arteries. These deposits can
reduce or block blood flow. A blockage
or reduced blood flow through an artery
that supplies the heart can cause a heart
attack to occur. Warning signs include:
- burning, choking, squeezing, or
pressing chest pain felt in the
center of the chest that may
radiate to the left shoulder and
arm (anginal pain). This can last
up to 5 minutes, and will become
much less intense or go away
completely if you rest.
- crushing, prolonged chest pain
that is not relieved by rest
- shortness of breath
- unrelieved indigestion and a
weak or faint feeling.
Pleuritis: This is an inflammation of the
lining of the lung. Warning signs include:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain, especially when
taking a deep breath.
Central nervous system (CNS) disease:
CNS disease covers a variety of problems
that may or may not be related to lupus.
Problems can include seizures, memory
loss, headache, confusion, hearing
and visual changes, muscle weakness,
depression, and emotional disturbances.
Because many of these problems can be
related to use of medications or indicate
other conditions, it is often difficult
to make a definite diagnosis of CNS
disease. Warning signs include:
- seizures
- periods of forgetfulness,
restlessness, or confusion
- new or increased hearing and
vision problems
- bizarre or erratic changes in
behavior
- mood swings
- coma
- paralysis
- numbness
- signs of a stroke, including
weakness or numbness in the
arms, legs, face, or down one side
of the body; a change in speech;
confusion; or severe headaches.
Depression: With depression, people
may feel helpless, hopeless, or
overwhelmed. They may find it difficult
to get through the day. Depression can
occur as a result of lupus or be caused
by the drugs used to treat it, especially
corticosteroids. Warning signs include:
- depressed mood
- significant weight loss or gain
- trouble sleeping or sleeping too
much
- extreme tiredness and lack of
energy
- decreased concentration or an
inability to make a decision
- feelings of being overwhelmed
and unable to carry out simple
tasks, such as personal hygiene,
housework, or childcare
- feelings of hopelessness about
various aspects of life
- unusual anger or irritability
- recurrent thoughts of death and
suicide.
Osteonecrosis: This is a condition that
usually affects the hip joint, but may
occur in other joints such as the knees,
ankles, or shoulders. Blood supply to
the joint is reduced and, over time,
leads to severe degenerative arthritis.
Osteonecrosis is considered to be a side
effect of corticosteroid therapy and not
a manifestation of lupus itself. Warning
signs include:
- sharp pain in the groin or
buttocks that may radiate down
the back of the leg
- decreased exercise tolerance
- stiffness of the hips
- increased pain and difficulty in
walking after exercise.
Pancreatitis: This condition causes the
pancreas (an organ involved in digestion
and in producing hormones that regulate
blood sugar levels) to become inflamed.
It is a very serious problem that must
be treated immediately. Warning signs
include:
- sharp, intense pain at the level
of the belly button that radiates
around to the back
- nausea and vomiting
- new or higher-than-usual fever.
Acute abdomen: This is a condition
that describes the sudden onset of
abdominal pain. A variety of serious
problems can cause this condition. You
should see your doctor immediately if
you develop acute abdomen. Warning
signs include:
- abdominal pain that may be
severe and radiate throughout
the abdominal area
- nausea, vomiting, or loss of
appetite
- change in usual bowel
movements
- vomiting blood or blood in the
stool.
Vision problems: Changes in vision can
be a result of lupus or because of the
corticosteroids and antimalarials used
to treat lupus. Problems can include
inflammation of the eye, glaucoma,
cataracts, general changes in vision,
and blocked tear ducts. On very rare
occasions, blindness can result. Warning
signs include:
- development of a rash over the
eyelids
- mucus discharge from the eye
- blurred vision
- sensitivity to light
- headaches
- a sore, red eye
- lack of tears, and eyes that hurt
and are dry
- episodes of flashing lights and
partial blindness.
Source: National Institutes of Health, U.S.Dept of Health and Human Services
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