Tips for Living With Lupus

Tips for Living With Lupus

About 1.5 million Americans suffer from lupus, an autoimmune disease that overwhelmingly affects women. Lupus usually develops between the ages of 15-44, causing widespread symptoms that can affect every aspect of a person’s life.

Lupus is a condition in which the immune system begins attacking healthy tissues and organs. The inflammation and tissue damage caused by the disease can affect many parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, skin, brain, joints, lungs, and blood.

7 tips for living with lupus

If you have lupus, the team at Houston Kidney Specialists Center wants you to know that, in addition to medical treatment, there are some things you can do to help reduce or relieve your symptoms. Here are seven simple tips that can help you lead a healthier, more comfortable life.

1. Practice stress management

Feeling stressed may seem like a natural part of life, especially if you have a lot of responsibilities. However, stress can worsen lupus symptoms. You can reduce symptoms brought on by stress by learning stress management techniques or building some “me time” into your daily schedule.

2. Improve your sleep habits

For people with lupus, fatigue is a common symptom. But don’t be tempted to nap all day. Instead, get at least seven hours of quality sleep each night, and schedule a daytime nap or rest period if you can. Regular exercise can also help battle lupus fatigue.

3. Quit smoking

Smoking is bad for everyone, but if you have lupus, it’s even more important to qut. Smoking can exacerbate your symptoms and speed up progression of the disease. 

4. Exercise regularly

Exercise is good for health overall, but if you have lupus, it’s really important to stay active. Regular activity — even something as simple as taking daily walks — can help you reduce stress, maintain a healthy weight, support joint health, and relieve inflammation.

5. Focus on nutrition

Strive for a healthy diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Vitamin D deficiency can cause symptoms to get worse in some people, so ask your doctor about whether you should add a vitamin D supplement to your diet.

6. Avoid the sun

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is a fairly common cause of symptom flare-ups. Try to stay indoors during midday when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Wear sunscreen, and avoid direct sunlight streaming in through your windows, too. 

7. Join a support group

Because lupus can cause so many symptoms, it can be easy to feel frustrated or even depressed. Seeing a counselor or joining a lupus support group — online or in person — can help you get the guidance and comfort you need to feel your best. 

Proactive treatment is essential

Although about 90% of people with lupus are women, the disease can affect men, too. There’s no cure for lupus, but it can be successfully managed, and the disease can go into remission.

If you’ve been diagnosed with lupus, being proactive in your medical treatment is critically important for staying healthy. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Houston Kidney Specialists Center today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

The Link Between Edema and Nephrology

Edema is a type of swelling that happens when fluid builds up in your body, usually under your skin. If you have edema, here’s why your kidneys could be to blame.

4 Types of Treatment for Kidney Disease

Kidney disease affects millions of people, and while there’s no cure, there are treatments that can help you manage your disease and lead a more comfortable life. In this post, you’ll learn about the four most common treatments.

The Dangers of Hypertension

Hypertension affects millions of Americans, and although it rarely causes symptoms on its own, it can cause serious complications. In this post, learn about the serious dangers of hypertension and how we can help you manage your blood pressure.

What Your Bone Pain May Mean

Chronic kidney disease is a surprisingly common cause of bone pain, occurring when the kidneys are no longer able to filter minerals and hormones effectively. Here’s how kidney-related bone pain is diagnosed and treated.

Are You Eating Foods that Are Too High in Sodium?

Sodium plays a pivotal role in staying healthy. And while consuming a small amount is necessary, taking in too much can be very bad. Here’s how to tell if your diet could be too high in sodium and what you can do to correct it.