Rheumatology in Lagos
Lupus (SLE)
The signs, what causes it, and treatment in Lagos from ₦66,000, with the full price shown before you book or pay.
Signs to look for
Lupus (SLE)
- Joint pain and swelling, often in the hands, wrists and knees
- Tiredness that rest does not fix
- A rash across the cheeks and nose, or rashes that appear after sun exposure
- Mouth ulcers and hair loss
- Fevers that keep coming back with negative malaria tests
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Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a long-term autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue. It can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, lungs and brain, and it comes and goes in flares. It is much more common in women, often starting between the teens and the forties, and the NHS notes it is more common in people of African and Caribbean background. In Nigeria it is easily missed: fevers, tiredness and joint pain are treated as malaria or typhoid again and again, until the kidneys or the blood are affected. There is no cure, but treatment controls it, and most people with lupus live full lives with regular checks.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Joint pain and swelling, often in the hands, wrists and knees
- Tiredness that rest does not fix
- A rash across the cheeks and nose, or rashes that appear after sun exposure
- Mouth ulcers and hair loss
- Fevers that keep coming back with negative malaria tests
- Swollen ankles, swelling around the eyes or frothy urine, which can mean the kidneys are affected
- Fingers that turn white or blue in the cold (Raynaud's)
- Chest pain when breathing in
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now for chest pain or difficulty breathing, a fit, sudden confusion, sudden weakness of an arm or leg, or passing very little urine. See a doctor within days for new swelling of the legs or around the eyes, or frothy urine, because lupus affecting the kidneys needs treatment early. See a rheumatologist if you have joint pain together with a rash, mouth ulcers, hair loss or fevers that keep returning, or if a test has shown a positive ANA. If you have lupus and plan a pregnancy, see your rheumatologist before you try.
Treatment options
- Hydroxychloroquine, taken long term, which reduces flares and protects the organs
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers for joint pain, used carefully
- Steroids to settle a flare or treat kidney and skin inflammation, at the lowest dose that works
- Immunosuppressant or biological medicines for severe lupus or lupus affecting the kidneys
- High-factor sunscreen, a hat and avoiding strong midday sun
- Regular urine and blood tests to catch kidney and blood problems early
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Is lupus contagious?
No. Lupus is an autoimmune condition. It cannot be caught from or passed to anyone.
Does a positive ANA test mean I have lupus?
No. Many healthy people, and people with other conditions, have a positive ANA. Almost everyone with lupus has one, so a negative ANA makes lupus unlikely, but the diagnosis needs the symptoms, an examination and more specific tests.
Can a woman with lupus have a baby?
Yes, most can, with planning. Some lupus medicines must be changed before pregnancy, and the pregnancy needs both a rheumatologist and an obstetrician. The best time to plan is when the lupus has been quiet for several months.
Is there a cure for lupus?
Not yet, but treatment controls it. Hydroxychloroquine, sun protection and regular checks keep most people well, and stronger treatment is used during serious flares.
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