What Are the Signs of Lupus?
9. Gastrointestinal Distress
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea can be signs of lupus-related irritable bowel syndrome. In a related condition called ascites, the lining of the abdominal cavity, the peritoneum, can become inflamed, causing fluid to accumulate there. Symptoms of ascites are fever, pain, and tenderness in the abdomen, and the inability to have a bowel movement.
Lupus also causes inflammation in the lining of the esophagus, resulting in chronic acid re-flux, heartburn, and sometimes difficulty swallowing. Blood in the stool can be a sign of lupus-related ulcerative colitis, which is the presence of sores in the lining of the stomach and rectum. Other digestive organs potentially affected by lupus include the gallbladder, pancreas, and liver.
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