Author Archives: Wendy Henderson

How Lupus and Other Autoimmune Diseases Affect the Body

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system of people living with the condition doesn’t work as it should. Usually, the immune system is good at spotting foreign invaders — germs, bacteria, and viruses — and killing them off by producing antibodies to fight against them. MORE: 12…

Living With Lupus: Lisa’s Story

May 19 marked National Lupus Day in Canada and to celebrate and raise awareness of the disease, CBC News interviewed Lisa Walters to learn a little more about what life is like with the disease. MORE: Nine ways to manage brain fog. Lisa explains that she looks…

How to Live Your Best Life With a Chronic Illness

If you’re living with a chronic illness, it’s easy to slip into a malaise and feel sorry for yourself. This isn’t a helpful state of mind and it potentially means you’re missing out on life. In this video from NewLifeOutlook, Anna Scanlon shares her five…

These Lifestyle Hacks Will Help Anyone With a Chronic Illness

If you have a chronic illness, you know just how much energy it takes to complete your daily chores and common household tasks. In this video from newlifeoutlook, Jennifer shares some practical tips to help make life a little easier for anyone suffering from a chronic illness. MORE: How to…

12 of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About Lupus

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with lupus, it’s natural to have a long list of questions about the disease, including how it’ll affect you and what kind of treatment you’ll need. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about lupus, thanks to the Lupus…

Lupus and Pregnancy: Risks and Management

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that mainly strikes women during their childbearing years. For many women living with the disease, that means pregnancy will become an issue at some point in their lives. MORE: Seven pregnancy tips for lupus patients. A few decades ago, women with lupus were discouraged from having a family,…

10 Benefits of Having a Service or Therapy Dog When You Have Lupus

Service dogs are typically thought of as necessary companions for the visually impaired, but service and therapy dogs can be a practical solution for people with a variety of chronic illnesses. As well as being a trusted friend, service dogs can expand owners’ motor abilities, granting them new independence and allowing them…

15 Signs That Confirm You’re Definitely a Spoonie

A “spoonie” is a term used by people with chronic illnesses. It stems from lupus blogger Christine Miserandino who explained her lack of energy using spoons. How do you know if you’re a spoonie? We’ve scoured the Internet for some examples of what it’s like to be…

Tips for Staying Sun-Safe With Lupus

In this video from newlifeoutlook, lupus vlogger and writer Anna Scanlon talks about ways fellow lupus sufferers can stay safe in the sun. Anna explains that most people with lupus are sun-sensitive, but those who take the medication Plaquenil are even more at risk of…