Tips for Living Well With Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease which is notoriously difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic so many other illnesses. In addition, no two lupus patients are alike as lupus can affect any area of the body (or multiple areas) so they will experience different symptoms.

Learn how patients are affected by lupus.

There are ways that you can manage your lupus so you can still enjoy a good quality of life. Finding a doctor who understands lupus well is imperative. A rheumatologist will be experienced in treating lupus patients, but depending on your symptoms you may need to see other specialists as well.

Treating flares as soon as they arise will help shorten their duration and lessen their impact. Contact your healthcare providers when you feel a flare coming on so they can act quickly, don’t wait to see if it will just pass without treatment.

While it’s impossible to avoid flares altogether, there are ways that you can reduce the risk of them occurring: eat well and avoid foods that may be responsible for flares (some people may find that dairy products aggravate their lupus while for others it may be gluten), exercise as often as possible, get plenty of rest, avoid sun exposure, and avoid stressful situations as much as possible.

Explain your illness to friends, family, and co-workers. Because lupus is an invisible illness, people around you often won’t realize that you’re fatigued or in pain unless you tell them. Explain to them that you won’t always be able to join in with their social events but to invite you anyway, just in case.

Lupus can be a lonely illness but thankfully the internet is a great resource for support and friendship with other people going through the same thing. There are hundreds of forums, Facebook groups, blogs and other social media formats where lupus patients can reach out to each other for advice and emotional support.

Keep up to date with all the latest news regarding lupus, find out about clinical trials, new medications and therapies, and any research programs which may bring us one step closer to understanding why people get lupus and how it may be cured. Being armed with all the latest information means you can play a very proactive role in your future treatment.

Lupus patient advises others to be proactive about their treatment.

Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.