7 Tips to living better with lupus

Posted May 31, 2021 by William C McCord, MD

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system’s antibodies mistakenly attack the body’s healthy cells. Because it can affect nearly any organ in the body, symptoms vary widely and can include:

Lupus is most commonly found in women, typically between the ages of 15 and 45. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, it is more commonly found in African-Americans, Asians and Latinos. Although the cause of lupus is unknown, many doctors believe genetics play a large role.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for lupus and it requires life-long management. If you’ve been recently diagnosed with lupus, you may be feeling anxiety about how your condition will affect your life. Fortunately, there’s good reason for hope.

Many people with lupus can minimize flares, lessen the burden of the disease and live a quality life by following their treatment plan and taking care of themselves. In fact, nearly 90 percent of people with lupus live to a normal life expectancy.

Learning how to control the daily challenges of a disease that’s unpredictable is the key to living with lupus. Summa Health offers 7 tips to control your symptoms, prevent or minimize flares and cope with the challenges of the disease.

Understand your condition. Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about lupus, triggers for flares and common treatments for symptoms. The more you know about lupus, the more you can take charge of your care and better manage symptoms.

In addition, educate others about your condition so your loved ones can & understand your daily struggles to better support you.

Know your triggers to avoid flares. For many with lupus, sun exposure can trigger a flare. Stress, exhaustion, infection or even post partum can, too. When you know what triggers a flare, it will be easier to help prevent them. For example, try to stay indoors during peak sun hours to avoid excessive sun exposure. If that’s not possible, wear sunscreen, protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself. To reduce stress and exhaustion, take time for yourself, rest or meditate to relax.

In addition, learn to recognize the signs of a flare so you can better manage them when they do come. Lupus flares most often have warning signs, such as worsening symptoms, pain, rash, fever or a severe headache

Eat healthy.There’s a strong link between lupus and heart disease. Eating well and exercising daily can help reduce your risk. Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

In addition, make sure you get plenty of calcium and vitamin D, which can boost bone and immune system health.

Get active. Rest is essential when you’re in pain, but when you’re feeling better moderate exercise can do your body good. It gets your joints moving to prevent stiffness, is good for maintaining a healthy weight and stress level, and can ward off fatigue. Exercise also can boost your mood with the release of the body’s “feel-good” chemicals, called endorphins.

Keep stress in check. Stress can have a considerable affect on your immune system. When people with lupus are under a lot of stress, their symptoms tend to worsen and it could lead to a flare. While stress is oftentimes unavoidable, you can learn to manage it more effectively with yoga and meditation, deep-breathing exercises or talking with a therapist.

Catch your Zzzs. Not getting enough quality sleep can increase inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate symptoms of pain, fatigue and depression. Not to mention, fatigue is one of the most troublesome symptoms of lupus. Make sure you’re getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night to keep your energy up.

Build a support network.Build a support system of people you trust to help you cope with lupus symptoms and flares. A therapist also can offer valuable support for overcoming both the emotional and physical challenges of living with lupus.

In addition, there are many local and national support groups that offer programs and resources to help you. Dealing with a chronic disease can be stressful and talking with others who have lupus can be helpful to overcoming the challenges. The Lupus Foundation of America is a great place to start for advice and comfort.

Lupus is lifelong and it can be difficult to manage, but it doesn’t have to get in the way of maintaining a fulfilling life. Many people with lupus live happy, active lives — and you can, too.