Diagnosis
Lupus is a type of self-allergy, a disease of many manifestations and each patients profile or list of symptoms may be different. The specialist may need to investigate any of:
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Several manifestations such as those listed below may suggest clinical evidence of a multi-symptom disease:
| SKIN | Rashes, Mouth Ulcers, Hair loss |
| JOINTS | Pain, redness, swelling |
| KIDNEYS | Abnormal Urinanalysis |
| LINING MEMBRANES | Pleurisy, Pericarditis, Peritonitis |
| BLOOD | Haemolytic Anaemia, Leukopenia |
| LUNGS | Shortness of breath, cough |
| NERVOUS SYSTEM | Convulsions, psychosis |
In arriving at a firm diagnosis the physician will normally expect at least four of a list of 11 internationally accepted conditions to be present (either currently or at any time since the onset of the illness). These conditions include one or more blood tests, and the patients/family medical history will also be taken into account.
Diagnosis of lupus is never straightforward, the real cause is still far from clear and the symptoms can vary widely from day to day in any one patient.
Diagnosis is usually achieved through a rheumatologist but other specialists may also be involved, eg dermatologists, kidney specialists, cardiologists, obstetricians.
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