How do you take care of yourself with lupus?

What can I do to control my lupus symptoms?
  1. Learn how to tell that a flare is coming.
  2. See your doctors regularly.
  3. Limit the time you spend in the sun and in fluorescent and halogen light.
  4. Get enough sleep and rest.
  5. Build a support system made up of people you trust and can go to for help.

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What should I not do if I have lupus?

5 Things to Avoid if You Have Lupus
  1. (1) Sunlight. People with lupus should avoid the sun, since sunlight can cause rashes and flares. ...
  2. (2) Bactrim and Septra (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) Bactrim and Septra are antibiotics that contain sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. ...
  3. (3) Garlic. ...
  4. (4) Alfalfa Sprouts. ...
  5. (5) Echinacea.

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How do you live a normal life with lupus?

Learning as much as you can about lupus and what you can do to feel better. Talking to your friends and family to help them understand what is happening to your body. Taking a break from focusing on the disease, and spending some time doing activities you enjoy. Meditating, reading, or deep breathing.

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What is the best daily routine for lupus?

Reduce stress and tiredness
  • Keep your daily schedule as simple as possible.
  • Keep your list of things to do as short as you can.
  • Exercise regularly. ...
  • Use meditation, yoga, or guided imagery to relax.
  • Get plenty of rest. ...
  • Pace yourself. ...
  • Ask others for help. ...
  • Take short breaks from your usual activities.

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How does lupus affect your daily life?

Having lupus can make everyday life challenging. When your lupus is active, symptoms like joint stiffness, pain, fatigue, confusion, or depression can make simple tasks difficult — and sometimes impossible. Since these symptoms aren't visible, the people around you may have trouble understanding how you feel.

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Living with Lupus: Managing Your Lupus with Confidence | Access Health

29 related questions found

What are the worst things about lupus?

Health Problems Include:
  • Heart disease. Lupus raises the risk of the most common type of heart disease, called coronary artery disease (CAD). ...
  • Osteoporosis. Medicines that treat lupus may cause bone loss. ...
  • Kidney disease. More than half of all people with lupus have kidney problems, called lupus nephritis.

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How does a person with lupus feel?

Whole-body symptoms — Most people with lupus experience fatigue, fever, and weight changes at some point in their illness. Fatigue — Fatigue is the most common symptom of lupus and can be debilitating.

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What time of day is lupus worse?

Many lupus patients experience joint stiffness, especially in the morning. People often find that taking warm showers helps to relieve this problem. If this habit does not offer comfort and joint stiffness prevents you from daily activity, be sure to speak with your doctor.

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What to avoid during a lupus flare up?

What Foods & Drinks to Avoid if You Have Lupus
  • Alcohol. While you do not have to stop drinking altogether, limiting alcoholic beverages will ensure that your medications work as they should. ...
  • Alfalfa and Garlic. ...
  • Red Meat. ...
  • Saturated Fat and Trans Fat. ...
  • Sodium. ...
  • Increase Foods Rich in Calcium.

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Should you rest with lupus?

Remember that rest is also needed to restore energy. Lupus patients will want to work towards a healthy tiredness where subsequent rest or sleep recharges the batteries, and more recovery obtained in this way should help to minimise lupus tiredness.

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What makes lupus better?

Your doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following: Hydroxychloroquine: an antimalarial drug that is effective for treating lupus-related arthritis and rashes. It reduces flares by 50 percent and may also help prevent blood clots.

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How do I know if my lupus is active?

What are the symptoms of a lupus flare?
  • Ongoing fever not due to an infection.
  • Painful, swollen joints.
  • An increase in fatigue.
  • Rashes.
  • Sores or ulcers in the mouth or nose.
  • General swelling in the legs.

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How serious is lupus?

The seriousness of SLE can range from mild to life-threatening. The disease should be treated by a doctor or a team of doctors who specialize in care of SLE patients. People with lupus that get proper medical care, preventive care, and education can significantly improve function and quality of life.

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What not to tell someone with lupus?

Here are 10 things to never say to someone with lupus or any other chronic disease.
  • But you look so good. ...
  • You are too young to have lupus. ...
  • I'm sure things will get better. ...
  • Do you really need to take all these meds? ...
  • Have you tried this diet? ...
  • Have you tried lupus meditation? ...
  • You need to get more exercise.

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What organ does lupus affect first?

Kidneys About one half of people with lupus experience kidney involvement, and the kidney has become the most extensively studied organ affected by lupus. Lungs About 50% of people with SLE will experience lung involvement during the course of their disease.

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Does lupus get worse with age?

With age, symptom activity with lupus often declines, but symptoms you already have may grow more severe. The accumulation of damage over years may result in the need for joint replacements or other treatments.

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What is the best way to fight lupus?

No form of treatment can cure lupus. However, there is some evidence that certain natural treatments may help reduce the symptoms and inflammation it causes. These include curcumin, omega-3s, vitamin D, and green tea.

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What is the best fruit for lupus?

People with lupus tend to suffer from recurring infections, so it's important to add lots of fresh fruits like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, oranges and pineapples into your lupus diet. Fruits that are rich in antioxidants can strengthen your immune system and help your body fight off the harmful ...

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How do you sleep with lupus?

Activities like reading, journaling, or taking a warm bath can help you fall asleep faster and sleep better. It's best to stop eating an hour or 2 before bedtime. If you do eat a bedtime snack, choose something light and bland, like applesauce or crackers. Avoid drinks with caffeine, like soda or coffee, before bed.

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What hurts the most with lupus?

Muscle and joint pain.

This affects most people with lupus. Common areas for muscle pain and swelling include the neck, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms.

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What are the signs that lupus is getting worse?

How can I tell if a lupus flare is coming?
  • Feeling more tired.
  • Pain.
  • Rash.
  • Fever.
  • Stomach ache.
  • Severe headache.
  • Dizziness.

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What are three triggers of lupus?

Common triggers for lupus
  • Ultraviolet rays from the sun or from fluorescent light bulbs.
  • Sulfa drugs, which make a person more sensitive to the sun, such as: Bactrim® and Septra® (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole); sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin®); tolbutamide (Orinase®); sulfasalazine (Azulfidine®); diuretics.

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Why does a person get lupus?

The cause of lupus is unknown, and researchers are still trying to learn what may trigger or lead to the disease. Doctors know that it is a complex autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the person's tissues and organs.

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What is lupus life expectancy?

With close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span. It is true that medical science has not yet developed a method for curing lupus, and some people do die from the disease. However, for the majority of people living with the disease today, it will not be fatal.

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Can lupus affect your personality?

Mood swings and personality changes.

People with lupus may experience unpredictable changes in moods and personality traits. This can include feelings of anger and irritability.

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