What constitutes a lupus flare?
A lupus “flare” or “flare up” is when your lupus symptoms worsen and you feel ill as a result. The formal definition of a flare is: A measurable increase in disease activity in one or more organ systems involving new or worse clinical signs and symptoms and/or lab measurements.
How do you know if your having a lupus flare?
How can I tell if a lupus flare is coming?
- Feeling more tired.
- Pain.
- Rash.
- Fever.
- Stomach ache.
- Severe headache.
- Dizziness.
How do you test for lupus flare-ups?
Blood and urine tests may include:
- Complete blood count. This test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets as well as the amount of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
- Kidney and liver assessment.
- Urinalysis.
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test.
How long do lupus flares typically last?
Lupus flare-ups can occur at any time, and last anywhere from several days to a few weeks or more. They can vary in severity, ranging from mild to life-threatening. Bouts of remission, when people with lupus don’t have any symptoms, are common following a flare-up.
What does an autoimmune flare up feel like?
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissues or cells. This leads to inflammation, which may trigger a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, rash, pain, swelling, difficulty focusing, and a tingling or numb sensation.
Should you go to ER for lupus flare?
Seek medical care for lupus if you have rapid swelling of one of your extremities, fever over 102 F, or acute abdominal pain or chest pain.
Can lupus affect your bowels?
Lupus can slow the digestive process, and this can cause a wide variety of GI issues. Digestive problems may be the direct result of an attack by the immune system or from medications to treat lupus. These digestive difficulties include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
How long do lupus flares last?
How do you stop a lupus flare?
Flares are an unfortunate part of living with lupus, but lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of flares. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding stress, and staying out of the sun will help.