Lupus Signs & Symptoms

Lupus Pamela R.

Blood Vessels

Blood vessels are often affected by lupus disease. The blood vessel type most often is the arteries. Raynaud’s phenomenon is a change in the color of the limbs, usually hands or feet, caused by spasms of blood vessels. The spasm of the arteries causes a sudden lack of blood leaving the hand pale. In cases where the spasm of the arteries continues for long period, reduced blood flow to the hand can cause it to be pale and start turning purple. This ischemia can cause a lot of pain. When the spasm subsides, the quick flow of blood to the hand makes the skin warm and very red. Raynaud’s phenomenon is not only present in lupus disease and can also manifest in individuals that are not diagnosed with lupus disease. . Cold, caffeine, and cigarette can act as triggers for this spasm. The presence of thrombosis is another important vascular issue in lupus. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a disorder that occurs often in patients diagnosed with lupus and is related to the development of multiple thrombosis, both in the arteries and in the veins, which can proceed to renal infarction, stroke, ischemia of the limbs, leg venous thrombosis, and embolism of the lungs. Lupus autoantibodies may directly target blood vessels in addition to thrombosis that occurs with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, causing what we term vasculitis. Any vessel in the body can be affected by vasculitis causing harm to kidneys, skin, brain, eyes, etc.

References:

[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/autoimmune-disorders

[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323653#classification-11-criteria

[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/fever-of-unknown-origin#Overview1

[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/lupus/early-signs#rash

[5] https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-info/lupus-affects-body/skin-lupus/

[6] https://www.healthline.com/health/lupus/early-signs#painful-joints

[7] https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis

[8] https://www.healthline.com/health/interstitial-nephritis

[9] https://www.healthline.com/symptom/blood-in-urine

[10] https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertension

[11] https://www.healthline.com/health/lupus-nephritis#Overview1

[12] https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/lung

Pamela R. January 11, 2021

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