Lupus
What is Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect nearly any part of the body. In people with lupus, the immune system—which normally protects against illness—becomes overactive and attacks healthy tissues. This can cause inflammation in the joints, skin, kidneys, brain, lungs, and other organs.
Symptoms often come and go and can vary widely from person to person, making lupus a complex condition to diagnose and manage. While there is no cure, effective treatments can control flares, prevent long-term damage, and improve quality of life.
Signs & Symptons of Lupus
Lupus is sometimes called “the disease of a thousand faces” because it presents so differently from one person to the next. Symptoms may be mild or severe, and often flare up and then improve.
Common symptoms include:
Whole-Body
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling—especially in hands, wrists, knees, or feet
- Butterfly-shaped facial rash across the nose and cheeks
- Sensitivity to sunlight that worsens rashes or causes flares
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Mouth or nose sores that are often painless
- Fevers, chest pain, or shortness of breath
- Memory issues or headaches (“lupus fog”)
- Swelling in the legs or around the eyes, which may signal kidney involvement
- Raynaud’s phenomenon, where fingers or toes turn white or blue in response to cold
NOT EVERYONE WITH LUPUS WILL EXPERIENCE ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU CARE FOR IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE ONGOING OR RECURRING SYMPTOMS, A RHEUMATOLOGIST CAN HELP MAKE SENSE OF WHAT’S GOING ON.
How Lupus is Diagnosed
Diagnosing lupus takes time and experience. At Piedmont Arthritis Clinic, we combine careful listening, thorough exams, and a series of specialized lab tests to reach an accurate diagnosis.
Your visit may include:
MEDICAL HISTORY
Detailed health history and a review of your symptoms, even ones that seem unrelated
PHYSICAL EXAM
Physical exam, including your skin, joints, heart, lungs, and other systems
BLOODWORK
Blood and urine tests to check for: Antinuclear antibodies (ANA); Lupus-specific antibodies like anti-dsDNA and anti-Smith; Inflammatory markers and kidney function; Blood counts (to check for anemia or low white cells or platelets)
IMAGING
Imaging or biopsies, if needed, to assess organs like the heart, lungs, skin, or kidneys
Our board-certified rheumatologists use established criteria and decades of experience to connect the dots and rule out similar conditions. If lupus is the answer, we’ll walk with you from diagnosis through long-term care.
Lupus Treatment Options at Piedmont Arthritis
While lupus can’t be cured, it can be managed. We create personalized treatment plans to help reduce symptoms, prevent flares, and protect vital organs.
Your treatment may include:
NSAIDs
for joint pain and inflammation
DMARD's
Such as hydroxychloriquine (Plaquenil) or methotrexate, to calm the immune system, prevent flares and manage skin and joint symptoms
Corticosteroids
for quick control of inflammation, especially during flares
Biologics
such as belimumab (Benlysta) or anifrolumab (Saphnelo), for patients with more complex or resistant disease
We also support:
Sun protection strategies
to reduce flare risk
Diet and activity guidance
to maintain strength and manage fatigue
Stress and lifestyle management
Regular follow-up
to monitor disease activity and adjust treatment
At Piedmont Arthritis Clinic, your care is always personalized. We stay current on the latest research and treatment options, and we adjust your care plan as your needs change.
How to Get Started
If you or your doctor suspect lupus, the first step is a referral to Piedmont Arthritis Clinic. We accept patients by referral only.
Appointments for new patients are typically scheduled 4–5 months out, though we may be able to see urgent cases sooner.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Lupus Alone
Lupus is a lifelong condition—but you don’t have to manage it on your own. At Piedmont Arthritis Clinic, we combine compassionate care with clinical excellence to help you live well with lupus.