Medical History and Physical Exam for Lupus A physical exam for
suspected Reference lupus Opens New Window (systemic lupus
erythematosus, or SLE) includes a thorough check of your skin,
joints, lungs and breathing, nervous system, and heart. The
medical history includes questions about: - Reference Arthritis
Opens New Window, joint, or muscle pain. - Weight loss or
fatigue. - Skin rashes, especially after exposure to sunlight. -
Sores in the mouth, nose, or other mucous membranes. - Chest
pain. - Hair loss or thinning. - Reference Seizures Opens New
Window, convulsions, or other Reference nervous system Opens New
Window symptoms. - Whether anyone in your family has lupus. -
Whether you have ever had kidney disease. Why It Is Done A
physical exam and medical history are done to evaluate symptoms.
The parts of the body that are examined, and the questions that
are asked, depend on which diseases your doctor suspects or
thinks are most likely. Your doctor will use certain criteria to
distinguish lupus from other