Strokes can be due to bleeding into the brain or to death of brain tissue because of lack of blood flow. These problems occur if there is inflammation of blood vessels, clotting of blood within vessels, or not enough clotting of blood causing patients to hemorrage more readily. The exact symptoms will depend on what area of the brain is damaged. Headaches can occur in 20-25 percent of lupus patients. Other much rarer complications due to brain damage relate to problems with coordinated movements.
Brain stem involvement with lupus also causes a variety of symptoms.
These are primarily due to involvement of the nerves to the muscles of the head and of the sensory pathways from the face. Problems with movement of the eyes can cause double vision. Inflammation of the nerve for vision can cause blurring of vision. Sensation or movement of the face can be altered, causing numbness or tingling or weakness of the face. In addition, other symptoms of brain stem involvement include hearing problems, slurred speech, and trouble swallowing.