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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Symptoms & Signs

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Because SLE affects so many different parts of the body, the disease has many signs and symptoms. These are best listed by organ system.

Signs and symptoms that affect the whole body:

fatigue

fever

loss of appetite

nausea

weight loss

Signs and symptoms that affect the skin:

hives

loss of scalp hair

red "butterfly rash" on the face, which extends over the cheeks and bridge of the nose in the shape of a butterfly

red, raised rashes in areas exposed to the sun

sensitivity to the sun

ulcers of the mouth, nose, or vagina

Symptoms and signs that affect the muscles, bones, and joints:

arthritis

hand deformities

joint pain, especially in the hands, wrists, and knees

loss of the blood supply to bone, especially hips and shoulders

muscle pains and weakness

serious infection within a joint

Signs and symptoms of kidney involvement:

blood in the urine

decrease in kidney function or kidney failure

protein in the urine

white blood cells in the urine

Signs and symptoms affecting the nervous system:

bleeding in the brain, known as intracerebral hemorrhage

headaches, including migraines

loss of coordination

memory loss, problems with concentration

numbness, pain, or a feeling of "pins and needles" in the hands and feet

problems with the major nerves in the head and face

seizures

strokes

Signs and symptoms involving the blood:

anemia, which is a low red blood cell count

low blood platelet count

low white blood cell count

problems with both blood clotting and bleeding

Signs and symptoms involving the heart:

fluid collection in the sac around the heart, known as pericardial effusion

heart attack

heart valve problems

inflammation and infection in the heart

inflammation of the lining of the heart

Signs and symptoms involving the lungs:

cough, including coughing up blood

fluid in the lung

inflammation in the lung

inflammation of the lining of the lungs

shortness of breath

Signs and symptoms affecting the digestive system:

abdominal distress

diarrhea

enlargement of the liver

intestinal perforation due to inflammation of blood vessels

loss of appetite

nausea and vomiting

rectal bleeding caused by ulcerations

Symptoms and signs affecting the eye:

blindness

conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the outer lining of the eye

damage to the retina, which may cause visual impairments

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