Does lupus affect the lower back?

Lower back pain usually occurs in people when lupus causes the body’s immune system to attack the kidneys. The medical term for this is lupus nephritis.

Can lupus cause spinal problems?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) may affect any organ of the human body. When lupus affects the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, we call this neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). NPSLE is one of the most difficult problems for people with lupus as it is often serious and also not well understood.

Can autoimmune disease cause bulging discs?

Summary: An immune cell known to cause chronic inflammation in autoimmune disorders has been identified as a possible culprit in low back pain associated with herniated discs, according to doctors.

How does lupus affect the spinal cord?

Lupus can affect both the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system. Lupus may attack the nervous system via antibodies that bind to nerve cells or the blood vessels that feed them, or by interrupting the blood flow to nerves.

Can lupus cause spinal inflammation?

The spine is generally spared from the inflammation of lupus. Lupus can cause neck and back pain, however, because muscles can become inflamed by lupus. Furthermore, the muscle pain syndrome called fibromyalgia that can cause pain in these areas is commonly associated with lupus.

Can lupus cause herniated discs?

This is true in the general population and is also true for patients with lupus. However, there are many causes of pains in these areas, ranging from organ disease (such as kidney problems and others) to disc herniations.

What autoimmune disease causes degenerative disc disease?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune disease with potential for multisystem involvement that promotes inflammation. Chronic inflammation of the synovial tissue results in stiffness, pain, warmth and swelling of joints.

Does lupus show up on MRI?

Your doctor may order an MRI if it appears that lupus has affected the central nervous system, which includes the brain and the spinal cord, and is causing confusion or “brain fog,” depression, seizures, or psychosis.