What are SLE symptoms like?
Systemic lupus erythematosus can take a long time to diagnose, because symptoms vary widely, and they come and go. Periods of time when symptoms worsen are called relapses or flares. Periods of time when symptoms improve are called remissions. SLE symptoms rarely disappear completely. The first signs of SLE are usually skin rash (especially with sun exposure), joint pain, and fatigue. Mouth sores, hair loss, or fevers may also be present. Over time, many people with SLE develop neurological symptoms, most commonly migraine headaches. SLE can also affect the kidneys, heart, lungs, or blood cells. What causes SLE? SLE has no single known cause. Experts believe that a combination of factors come together to trigger the autoimmune process. These factors can include predisposition, certain infections and medications, and exposure to environmental elements such as ultraviolet B light, as in sunlight. SLE is most common in women who are in their high- stages of life, as during the childbearin
