Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease that is known to cause pain and inflammation in almost any part of the body. It’s believed to occur when the body's immune system begins to attack its own tissues and organs and while the cause is generally unknown and the symptoms tend to differ from person to person - there are some signs and potential triggers that are worth knowing more about.
See also: What is C-Reactive Protein (CRP)?
Lupus symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lupus symptoms do generally come and go, so they’re not present all of the time [1]. Some of the most common include:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Skin lesions
- Shortness of breath
- Dry eyes
- Butterfly shaped rash across the nose and the cheeks
See also: What Does High CRP Mean?
Lupus causes
While in the majority of cases, the cause of lupus is unknown. It’s generally believed that lupus is a result of both your genetics and your environment [2]. Some factors that may trigger lupus include:
- Exposure to sunlight
- Infections
- Medications
- Puberty
- Childbirth
- Menopause
See also: Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Foods to Help Inflammation
If you are at risk of a chronic inflammatory disease such as lupus, it’s important to keep an eye on your CRP levels as CRP tends to increase when inflammation is present in the body. This can be done by visiting your doctor or from home with an at-home lab test.
LetsGetChecked’s at-home CRP Test can identify inflammation in the body and can assist in indicating your risk of degenerative disorders. Online results will be available within 5 days and our medical team will be available to answer any questions you may have during or after the process.
References
