Fatigue
Lupus sufferers are plagued with fatigue and exhaustion all the time, because their immune system is working overtime. Even when the disease has been diagnosed and they are receiving active treatment, Lupus is a tiring condition. Doctors put the blame of fatigue on a number of medical factors, and studies have found that Lupus interferes with life and energy in numerous ways. For instance, ongoing symptoms of pain can disrupt typical sleep patterns, and this results in patients who are sleep deprived. Since sleep deprivation raises the stress hormone cortisol, which has a direct affect on Lupus flare ups, the patient finds themselves in a cruel cycle.
Unfortunately, even with treatment, the persistent fatigue can lead to a decline in quality of life. The result of this is depression. Patients will often become depressed since they can no longer enjoy the activities that they once did.
