lupus arthritis

lupus arthritis

Before multi-system diseases can be diagnosed, symptoms in many parts of the body must be present and blood tests supporting the evidence of a multi-system disease need to be performed.

Multi-system diseases are also difficult to diagnose because they do not (normally) develop rapidly, but rather slowly - evolving over time. Symptoms come disappear again, it can take time for the evdence to show up in blood tests. And even these lab tests can be positive once and the next time be negative. It can sometimes take years for enough symptoms to show up to be able to make an accurate diagnosis.

I.e. Lupus, one of these multi-system diseases, is difficult to diagnose because there is no one diagnostic test for lupus. Medical doctors have to do a full examination of the patient and perform many different tests, before coming to a final conclusion.

Arthritis-Tip:

If you feel pain, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint for a prolongued time, see your doctor. The symptoms can develop quickly or slowly. Only a medical doctor can tell if it's arthritis. But "you have arthritis" is not really a diagnosis. Ask for a very specific diagnosis of the type of arthritis you have. There are more than 100 types, each of which has different treatments. Getting the right treatment requires getting the right diagnosis.