Complications of lupus

Nervous system problems

Neurological (nervous system) problems associated with lupus include:⁷

• Mild memory loss, trouble concentrating, and errors in insight and judgment.
• Headaches, which are common but are usually related to stress and tension. Migraine headaches occur in many people who have lupus.
• Nervous system problems that cause vision disturbance, dizziness, muscle weakness in the face, arms, or legs, or loss of temperature or pain sensation in the feet, hands, arms, or legs (cranial or peripheral neuropathy).
• Seizures, which affect up to 20% of people with lupus. They may be caused by problems with blood pressure, infections, or inflammation in blood vessels in the brain.
• Strokes, ranging from mild to severe, which occur in up to 15% of people who have lupus.

Mental health problems

The physical and emotional stress of coping with a chronic illness can make it difficult to maintain good mental health.

• Many people with lupus become anxious, depressed, or both.
• Psychosis, a mental-behavioral disorder in which a person may have delusions (firmly held but false beliefs) and/or hallucinations (false perceptions), is seen in over 20% of people with lupus. It can be caused by the disease or by medications such as tranquilizers, corticosteroids, or narcotic pain relievers.⁷
• Manic behavior, including unusually high levels of energy and activity, difficulty sleeping, and irritability, can develop as a result of corticosteroid treatment for lupus. It is usually not serious and goes away when the medication is discontinued.

Digestive system problems

Problems in the digestive system are not common with lupus but may include:

• Abdominal pain, often with nausea and vomiting.
• Enlargement of the liver.
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Inflammation of the sac surrounding the intestines (peritonitis).
• Indigestion.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Dry mouth.

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