How can you tell if lupus is affecting your brain or nervous system?
Lupus can affect the nervous system in many ways, and symptoms vary widely from person to person. When lupus impacts the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, it's called neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE).
Common signs that lupus may be affecting your nervous system Show Full Answer
How can you tell if lupus is affecting your brain or nervous system?
Lupus can affect the nervous system in many ways, and symptoms vary widely from person to person. When lupus impacts the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, it's called neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE).
Common signs that lupus may be affecting your nervous system include:
* Brain fog - difficulty with memory, thinking, or concentration (affects up to 80% of people with lupus at some point)
* Headaches, sometimes severe
* Mood changes like depression or anxiety
* Seizures (occur in about 2-8% of people with lupus)
* Numbness or tingling, especially in hands and feet
* Muscle weakness or trouble moving parts of your body
* Vision or hearing problems
* Confusion or trouble thinking clearly
More serious symptoms that need immediate medical attention include seizures, sudden severe headaches, stroke symptoms (numbness in face/arm/leg, trouble speaking or walking), or hallucinations.
There's no single test to diagnose neuropsychiatric lupus. Doctors typically diagnose it by ruling out other causes and looking at your symptoms and test results together. If you're experiencing any neurological symptoms, work with your care team - which may include a rheumatologist and neurologist - to identify the cause and find the right treatment.
April 12
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