The most common symptoms are joint pain, tiredness and rashes – which can occur in response to the sun.

You may experience headaches, fever and mouth ulcers.

Stress and the cold may cause your fingers and toes to change colour: to white, red, or blue.

Swollen glands in the armpits, neck or groin. Swelling may also occur in your legs or around your eyes.

Pain in your stomach and chest – particularly when deeply breathing or lying down.

Hair loss and weight loss.

Lupus can affect mental health, causing anxiety and depression.

Symptoms are wide ranging, and the intensity of symptoms may increase during a flare up. Some people’s symptoms of lupus are consistent and continuous.

Lupus flare ups can be triggered by overworking, not resting enough, sunlight, fluorescent or halogen lights, illness, injury and specific medication.

Lupus is influenced by genetics and the environment. Lupus UK reports that genetics explains between 44% and 66% of the disease risk.

The triggers for the onset of lupus are similar to the triggers for a flare up – viruses, sunlight, medication and smoking can trigger the condition.

Pollution is another key factor, as this can exacerbate inflammation and put the body under extra stress.

If you have lupus and are frequently ill, it’s a good idea to tend to your immunity.

Hormonal changes like puberty, childbirth or menopause may trigger the onset of lupus.

Our practitioners can recommend a variety of tests for lupus. It may be worthwhile testing the inflammation levels in your body – as this is key to the severity of symptoms.

Depending on your symptoms, our practitioners may recommend tests to assess your toxin levels.

Lupus can affect your lungs, heart and kidney health. Our health screenings can assess kidney and cardiovascular health.

Lupus and anaemia often go hand in hand. Anaemia affects around 50% of people with lupus. Our tests can help you measure your iron levels – low levels of which present their own set of symptoms.