Skip to main content

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...

6 Reasons That May Be Causing Protein in Your Urine

6 Reasons That May Be Causing Protein in Your Urine

Your urine contains lots of components, but excess protein shouldn’t be one of them. In fact, high levels of protein can be a sign of serious medical issues. Here are six reasons why protein can show up in urine and what we can do to help.
How Various Foods Affect Your Kidneys

How Various Foods Affect Your Kidneys

As filters for your blood, your kidneys can be directly affected by the foods you eat. Here’s how to adjust your diet to help your kidneys stay healthy and prevent complications that could damage these organs.
What Is Hemodialysis and When Would I Need It?

What Is Hemodialysis and When Would I Need It?

Hemodialysis plays a critical role in managing serious kidney problems, yet many people don’t know what it is or how it works. Here, learn the basics about hemodialysis and when our team prescribes it.
Do You Have These Symptoms of Kidney Disease?

Do You Have These Symptoms of Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease affects millions of Americans, and it can sometimes cause serious and even life-threatening complications. Knowing what symptoms to look for can help you get treatment as early as possible, before complications occur.
7 Telltale Signs of Vasculitis

7 Telltale Signs of Vasculitis

Vasculitis is a serious medical problem that can affect the veins in any part of your body — or your entire body. In this post, learn what symptoms to look for, so you can seek medical care as soon as possible.
How to Protect Your Kidneys With Your Diet

How to Protect Your Kidneys With Your Diet

Like any organ, your kidneys depend on the right nutrients to perform their best. Making these few simple changes to your diet can help protect your kidneys and prevent serious complications, such as kidney failure.