The nervous system has 3 parts:
- Central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral nervous system — the nerves that make your muscles move and tell your brain what your body is feeling
- Autonomic nervous system — the system that controls internal processes like your breath, heartbeat, and blood flow
Lupus and the central nervous system
Lupus in the central nervous system (CNS) is sometimes called CNS lupus or neuropsychiatric lupus. Symptoms include:
- Confusion and trouble concentrating (sometimes called lupus brain fog)
- Seizures (sudden, unusual movements or behavior)
- Stroke (blocked blood flow in the brain that causes brain cells to die)
Many people with lupus sometimes have confusion, memory loss, and trouble expressing thoughts. The medical term is cognitive dysfunction. These symptoms can come and go. Lupus brain fog can be frustrating, but you can learn to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Talk with your doctor about ways to cope with lupus brain fog.
CNS lupus can also cause some rare and serious problems, including:
- Myelitis (spinal cord inflammation)
- Psychosis (seeing and hearing things that do not exist)
Some medicines and other health conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to CNS lupus. Talk to your doctor about tests that might help.
Lupus and the peripheral nervous system
Lupus can damage nerves in the body by causing inflammation of the nerves or the tissue around the nerves. This nerve damage is sometimes called peripheral neuropathy. The main symptoms are numbness, tingling, and being unable to move a part of your body.
Other symptoms include:
- Loss of vision
- Face pain
- Ringing in the ears or change in hearing
- Dizziness
- Drooping face and eyelids
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand
Lupus and the autonomic nervous system
Lupus in the autonomic nervous system can cause a wide range of symptoms, including changes in heart rate or blood pressure as well as digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhea.
There can be other things that affect the nervous system when you have lupus such as headaches, anxiety, or depression. Talk with your doctor about possible triggers and how to treat these conditions.
Lupus in the autonomic nervous system can cause a wide range of symptoms, including changes in heart rate or blood pressure as well as digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhea.
There can be other things that affect the nervous system when you have lupus such as headaches, anxiety, or depression. Talk with your doctor about possible triggers and how to treat these conditions.
Take steps to protect your nervous system
Lupus brain fog and other nervous system problems can make everyday life challenging. But you’re not alone — professionals called cognitive therapists can help you learn to cope with lupus brain fog.
Here’s more information on how to manage lupus and how it can affect your memory.
Nervous system problems might be symptoms of lupus, or they might be caused by a different condition. Different medical specialists (e.g. rheumatologist, neurologist, psychiatrist) and neuropsychologists can find out if your nervous system problems are related to lupus.
You may need to have tests, including:
- Lab tests, like blood tests
- Brain scans, like a CT or MRI of your head
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) to check the electrical activity in your brain
- Spinal tap to check the fluid in your spine
Your doctor and other healthcare professionals can help you find a treatment plan that works for you.