The summer months bring the heat — and plenty of sweating and hot flashes. Many Lupus Warriors experience heat-intolerance and are at an increased risk of overheating.

Feeling hot? People with autoimmune diseases frequently experience heat intolerance when the mercury rises. This means the body struggles to regulate temperature, resulting in a person feeling unbearably hot. It can result in symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating.

Nitric Oxide, Lupus, and Overheating

First of all, individuals who have heat intolerance in addition to an autoimmune condition have been found to have elevated levels of nitric oxide in the body. Naturally occurring nitric oxide in the body, such as endogenous nitric oxide, works as an agent to widen blood vessels.

This widening of the blood vessels (known as vasodilation) also occurs when the body’s core temperature increases. Vasodilation causes more heat to be carried by the blood to the skin, where it can be lost to the air.

For Lupus Warriors, too much heat is rapidly transferred from blood to skin during vasodilation. This causes overheating. It’s very common for Lupus Warriors to be in a warmer setting and unexpectedly experience an intense overheating episode.

LupusCorner Insights Survey Results

LupusCorner conducted a poll of over 530 members of the LupusCorner community about the impact of environmental and weather factors on lupus and lupus symptoms.

77.8% of people with lupus agreed that environmental factors impacted their lupus symptoms. Environmental factors considered were pollution, allergens, and the weather.

The environmental factors that most influenced lupus symptoms in the survey were increases in temperature (68.9%) and humidity (57.8%).

The most common lupus symptoms impacted by environmental factors were fatigue (81.4%) and joint/muscle pain (81.4%).  Headaches, lupus flares, rashes/lesions, and brain fog were also commonly reported.

What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?

This response was free text. Responses generated the word cloud below. The size of the word correlates with the frequency of its use in the responses.

While “sun” shows up, most responses had to do with “sun safety” or “staying out of the sun”

Hyperthyroidism, Overheating, & Lupus

Thyroid Disease

Located in the neck area, the thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ responsible for regulating the metabolism and releasing hormones. It plays an essential role during puberty—(think of all the significant hormonal changes during that time).

Metabolism and core body temperature are undoubtedly linked. A 2009 study at the Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association reports that an increase in body temperature is associated with a higher metabolic rate, and higher body temperatures do speed up metabolism. Because of this, an overactive thyroid might cause intense overheating episodes.

Thyroid disease is a blanket term that describes a number of conditions. The most common subsets of thyroid disease are:

1. Thyroid nodules
   • A lump in the thyroid
2. Hypothyroidism
   1. A condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone
3. Hyperthyroidism
   • The overproduction of a hormone
4. Goiter
   • Abnormal enlargement of the gland below the Adam’s apple
5. Thyroiditis
   • Inflammation of the thyroid
6. Thyroid cancer
   • Cancer of the thyroid

Any of these thyroid conditions can have a significant impact on the metabolism, hormones, and body temperature.

Comorbidity of Hyperthyroidism and Lupus

Typically an under-active thyroid produces symptoms that are very similar to lupus, for example:

• fatigue
• dryness
• weakness
• hair loss

However, an overactive thyroid—or hyperthyroidism—causes symptoms such as skin rash and dizziness which Lupus Warriors experience, too.

More Lupus Warriors experience under-active thyroid disease. Therefore, there needs to be more attention on the overlap between thyroid disease and lupus. Per the study “Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus,” there is much more to be discovered regarding the comorbidity of thyroid issues and lupus. According to these researchers, SLE patients should be routinely checked for autoimmune thyroid disease.

Menopause and Lupus

Another culprit for heat intolerance is menopause. Women experience this natural part of life usually in their 40’s and 50’s. Hormone levels drastically deplete causing significant symptoms and changes within the body.

Menopausal Symptoms and Lupus

Low levels of progesterone are linked to hot flashes. Also, other natural hormonal changes might cause night sweats or hot flashes. Sometimes hot flashes and night sweats just interrupt sleep. Other times, they can negatively and severely affect the quality of life.

Lupus does not intensify hot flashes or night sweats. The overall heat intolerant nature of  Lupus Warriors can compound with hot flashes causing much distress. Lupus also does not cause too many irregularities with menopause, but there have been cases of early perimenopause and/or menopause in Lupus Warriors.

The Takeaway

Talk with your lupus treatment team to determine the exact cause of overheating. Regarding menopause, there are abundant resources out there for women who experience hot flashes and night sweats from these hormonal changes.

Finally, remember that hot flashes, overheating, and intense sweating episodes are challenging and exhausting. Staying calm and talking to a medical provider about symptoms will help streamline treatment and bring comfort…hang in there.

Article updated: August 25, 2020

Over the years, advances in technology and rapid adoption by healthcare systems have made telemedicine a beneficial lupus management strategy.

Telemedicine refers to clinical care delivered from a distance – often using a smartphone to video chat with clinical care providers. This could include communication or even virtual visits with primary care doctors or community health workers.

Telemedicine can be a huge benefit for patients, particularly in areas where it may be challenging to access health care. It also allows patients to choose their doctors regardless of where these providers are located. Studies and experts suggest that using telemedicine increases patient engagement and positively impacts patient health outcomes.

Advantages to Telemedicine

Triage

Telemedicine can help with triaging patients. When patients first discuss their symptoms to medical professionals, telemedicine might help to get the patient the exact care they need. This can be an excellent solution to referrals from primary care providers.

If an individual is experiencing some symptoms of lupus, telemedicine might save that individual a trip to a primary care provider to eventually be referred to a specialist.

Skin Issues

Telemedicine can significantly help #LupusWarriors who have skin problems. Dermatologists have embraced telemedicine to help accomadate patients’ schedules.

If a #LupusWarrior experiences photosensitivity, this mode of medicine might be pivotal to a good day or a bad day for that individual.

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story

Post-Surgery

Telehealth technology can also help post-surgery significantly with follow-up care. Especially in minor procedures that require just a single over-night visit, video and phone-based follow-up visits might help with patient-engagement. Surgery and recovery can be uncomfortable—and additional time in hospitals can be risky for people with lupus or other autoimmune diseases as the risk of developing an infection is higher.

Mental Health

Mental health is another area where telemedicine can improve patient outcomes. Discussing issues, mood, behavior, etc. with a licensed behavioral health provider can be done virtually.

Patients in Rural Areas

In the past, individuals seeking specialist care might have had to travel a good distance to reach a specialist. This is especially true for people in rural areas. A qualitative study shows that travel can be a real challenge for #LupusWarriors.

Telehealth technology is now merging with central locations for patients that fall into this category. Specialists can treat a greater number of patients in one day, and #LupusWarriors do not have to experience the discomfort and financial setbacks of medium to long-distance travel.

Disadvantages to Telemedicine

Physical Exams

Despite the growing interest in telemedicine and telehealth services, some patients have some serious concerns about this modality of medicine. Even though the method of communication is secure (US federal law requires the connection between patients and providers must be HIPAA compliant), some individuals might find telemedicine strange at first.

With remote sensory technology and video chats, physical exams do not require the patient and the doctor to be in the same room. The general consensus is still that for first-time physical exams, telehealth is not a best-practice.

IT Issues

A telehealth system can deliver care to individuals. But, it also has the real potential to be interfered with because of technology problems. Poor internet connection or system issues can lead to poor user experiences that may not be beneficial to patient or doctor.

The Takeaway

Many patients realize that this modality of medicine is growing and are adopting it for the benefits. It is a technology that has been shown to increase engagement, outcomes, and patient-flow for #LupusWarriors. If you are looking for additional ways to interact with your lupus treatment team, telemedicine may be a great addition to your healthcare toolkit.

Anemia, stress, and side effects of lupus medications may cause brittle hair for people with lupus.

Dry, brittle hair is not a natural hair type — it is a treatable condition that occurs when strands of hair are stripped of their natural oil. The causes can be diverse including the weather (particularly the summer season), hormone changes, or even using the wrong shampoo. But, for #LupusWarriors, co-morbid conditions may be linked to brittle hair.

A new study published in 2017 claimed that low red blood cell counts and low lymphocytes are the two most common blood disorders associated with lupus. Additionally, people with lupus are at a higher risk of developing hemolytic anemia. Both iron and vitamin deficiency anemias cause a decreased amount of red blood cells which is linked to brittle hair.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia worldwide. This condition occurs when there is not enough iron in the body. Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can’t produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells to perform their function of carrying oxygen throughout the body.

What Iron Deficiency Anemia Does the Body

When an individual becomes iron deficient, the body can go into survival mode. Hair follicles are unnecessary when it comes to the overall health of the body. At first hair strands will seem to become thinner. If the condition is not treated, hair will start to fall out in a non-patterned way. This type of hair loss is known as telogen effluvium.

Anemia and Medications

Some lupus medications also inhibit the production of bone marrow. Drugs such as azathioprine or cyclophosphamide can drastically lower the levels of bone marrow produced. The result on hair, unfortunately, is the same.

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story

Stress, Shock, and Telogen Effluvium

Stress can be a major part of a #LupusWarrior’s journey. Unfortunately, stress can have tremendous impacts on our physiology—not just our emotions. Stress is the generic term for when cortisol – the stress hormone – is released within the body.

When a stressful situation occurs, cortisol is supposed to tap into our blood glucose reserves to give the energy for flight or fight. When bodies don’t complete this process, the system thinks it is in shock. Nervous shock can cause telogen effluvium (TE) or temporary hair loss in a non-patterned way.

Typically, hair grows in three stages:

1. Anagen
   • Hair growth stage where individual strands may grow roughly half an inch per month
2. Catagen
   • Following the anagen phase, the catagen is the end of hair growth and lasts about 10 days
3. Telogen
   • This is a resting phase where the hair is released and falls out. After falling out, the hair follicle remains inactive for 3 months and then the process will repeat.

The problem is when too many hair follicles go into the telogen phase especially at the same time and for an extended period of time.

More needs to be understood about how stress can impact skin. However, a great number of anecdotes can confirm stress can wreak havoc on the skin. The scalp is skin, and one of the most sensitive parts of the whole organ.

Scalp Care and Treatment

Microcirculation

Scalp care is essential for people experiencing hair loss or brittle hair. There’s a delicate balance between pulling on the hair and stimulating the hair follicles. Cosmeceutical and haircare experts claim that stimulating hair follicles brings blood to the follicles—which is a good thing.

A couple of ways to stimulate hair follicles is to get a brush with wide or thick bristles. Bristles that are wider reduce the risk of pulling out hair. The wide bristles gently massage the scalp, increase circulation, and gently exfoliate dead skin or build-up from hair products away to let new strands grow.

Light Therapy

Light therapy is an up and coming treatment for hair loss. The best type of phototherapy is low-level light therapy (LLLT). Studies have shown that LLLT stimulates hair follicles and shifts them from the telogen phase (dormant) into anagen phase (active growth.)

Supplements

Some nutraceuticals claim to target common causes of hair loss (oxidative stress and free radical damage) with plant-powered ingredients. If a #LupusWarrior has true iron/vitamin deficiency anemia, looking into supplements like this might be worth the effor—but this needs to be combined with a vitamin- and mineral-rich diet.

As always, talk to you lupus treatment team to help decide what options are best suited for you.

The Good News

The good news is many #LupusWarriors experience telogen effluvium due to stress, low-iron levels, and medication side-effects. Telogen effluvium is 100% reversible. If in this stage, try to diminish stress, talk to a doctor about supplements, and take care of the scalp. Brittle hair and thinning hair can grow back.

#LupusWarriors are already predisposed to heart disease because of inflammation and stress. Sodium contributes to high blood pressure, but it also might be an environmental influencer of autoimmunity.

Every living being on the planet needs salt. It’s essential for proper bodily function. (In fact, civilizations were built on salt—Salzburg, Austria was one of the largest places in mainland Europe that contained salt beds.) Today though, sodium is packed in foods that are not nutrient-dense and highly processed.

Salt and Lupus

Used in the medical sense, immunity is a balanced state of the body. If it has too little immunity, the body is more prone to developing infections and other unwanted biological invaders; if it has too much immunity, the body attacks its own healthy tissues. Slightest influences on the immune system can have drastic effects.

Researchers are just beginning to explore the correlation between the over-use of salt and sodium in the diet and autoimmune conditions. Two studies advance the concept of salt being linked to an array of autoimmune conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story

More specifically, increasing salt creates more TH17 cells. In high-salt conditions, lab results have shown a higher expression of the protein SGK1. This protein signals the body to produce TH17 cells. TH17 cells are generally considered to be pro-inflammatory and fight infection by mobilizing neutrophils and macrophages to infected tissues.

As stated previously, the body walks a thin line between not having enough immunity and having too much. Even with these recent findings, there still needs to be more conclusive evidence whether salt contributes to autoimmunity. Considering the other medical conditions salt causes, #LupusWarriorrs should discuss low-sodium diets with their lupus treatment team.

Salt and Cardiovascular Disease

#LupusWarriors are already predisposed to cardiovascular disease because of the stress. A high-sodium diet is also linked to high blood pressure. #LupusWarriors should be mindful of not compounding different factors of hypertension.

Are There Benefits to Salt

Under certain circumstances, salt is actually life-saving. There is a reason it is used to treat dehydration—it regulates and balances water in the body. Salt facilitates sending signals to our nerves and muscles and helps sustain the fluid content inside and outside the blood cells.

Oral Rehydration Salts and solutions such as Gatorade were invented to prevent the body from being dehydrated while balancing electrolytes. In some individuals, even mild dehydration can lead to difficulty with mental tasks and causes fatigue, tension, and anxiety.

A Balanced Diet with Salt—Not Sodium

Is salt the same thing as sodium? Not exactly. Sodium is a naturally occurring mineral that is in foods like celery, beets, and milk. It’s also very common in processed foods. Table salt, known by it’s chemical name, is NaCl for sodium chloride. It is roughly 40% sodium. Check out this article from the American Heart Association to learn more about the differences between the two.

There needs to be more evidence in proving salt is an environmental trigger for autoimmune disease. This hypothesis is founded in countries or groups of people that eat modernized or industrialized diets. “Junk food” or any type of overly processed foods do contain a high amount of sodium, but it also contains other ingredients that are not healthy for the body.

The body naturally craves salt. When eating a whole foods diet, most people get their fill of salt from just 1.5 to 3 teaspoons per day, which has a very low hypertension risk associated with it. The DASH diet is a great guide for low-sodium intake. And as always, make sure there is plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meats and proteins, and unprocessed grains for a healthy, balanced dietary regimen.

The connection between osteoporosis, bone tissue damage, and lupus. #LupusWarriors are at a greater risk for this health condition that can lead to fractures.

Osteoporosis is a concern for all people as they age, but females #LupusWarriors are at an increased risk of developing the condition. It is a condition where—overall—the bones become less dense making people who have osteoporosis more at risk to bone spurs and breaks.

Other variables that put people more at risk for developing osteoporosis are:

• slight frames and thinness
• a family history of osteoporosis
• being postmenopausal and particularly having had early menopause
• abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
• prolonged use of certain medications
• low calcium intake
• lack of physical activity
• smoking
• excessive alcohol intake

Is Osteoporosis an Indirect or Direct Cause of Lupus?

The connection between lupus and osteoporosis is becoming clearer. Studies have shown that having lupus significantly increases the chance of developing osteoporosis. And, lupus can lead to bone tissue damage as well.

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story

Glucocorticoids & Bone Deterioration

Many medications used to treat lupus can have an impact on bone health. Glucocorticoids—or steroid hormones—are commonly used for short periods of symptom relief. Inhaled and/or taken orally, glucocorticoids are used for inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune therapies.

Studies have shown that taking glucocorticoids in high doses can inhibit bone formation. Generally, for #LupusWarriors, these types of medications are administered in low doses.

However, even in low doses, some research shows that glucocorticoids studies may increase the risk of organ damage for people with lupus. Always speak with your lupus treatment team to learn more about potential risks and benefits of treatments.

Inactivity & Osteoporosis

#LupusWarriors know that flares and increases in symptoms can make simple tasks a major challenge. And, they can cause a person to debilitated for days or weeks at a time. For those who experience flares on a monthly basis, osteoporosis might begin to develop because of inactivity.

Just like muscles, bones are made from tissue and constantly developing. (Of course, there is a decrease in growth potential as people age.)

Inflammation and Bone Tissue Death

When #LupusWarriors experience chronic inflammation of the connective tissues, this can affect the blood supply to bones. As a result, bone death—different from bone-density loss—can occur.

Bone death or bone tissue damage is different from osteoporosis. Bone tissue damage is more isolated. Although certain bones are more susceptible to fractures when there is a diagnosis of osteoporosis, this condition affects the density of all bones in the body.

Prevention and Treatment for Osteoporosis

A Healthy Diet

Every woman under the age of 30 should focus on getting enough calcium in their diet. At 30, the body has a more difficult time retaining calcium. A diet full of dark leafy greens, healthy sources of dairy (kefir milk and yogurt are excellent choices), and broccoli will deliver a healthy amount of calcium to the body.

Exercise with Bodyweight

As mentioned previously, exercise is another important factor for osteoporosis prevention. Although exercise might seem daunting for some Lupus Warriors—especially right after a flare—yoga, ballet, barre, pilates, and other calisthenic exercises provide enough body weight movements to strengthen the musculoskeletal system.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends two types of exercise to help prevent osteoporosis:

1. Weight-bearing exercises
   • High impact (e.g., running/jogging, dancing, hiking)
   • Low impact (e.g., using elliptical machines, stair-stepping machines)
2. Muscle-strengthening exercises
   • Lifting weights or performing functional exercises like flexing up on to your toes

As with any exercise plan, be sure to speak with your treatment team to ensure exercises are safe and beneficial for you.

Calcium Supplements

Calcium pills are available to ensure there is enough calcium in the body to retain. Nutrition experts believe that calcium supplements with magnesium and vitamin d provide a better chance for optimal absorption. If osteoporosis seems inevitable and severe, Intravenous calcium therapies are available and often prescribed.

What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids? And why are they important for Lupus Warriors?

Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential nutrient the body cannot make on its own. Studies have shown that these omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as a significant role in normal growth development for children. On top of that, omega-3 fatty acids contribute to hair and skin health.

Great sources of omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Wheat germ
• Fresh fruits
• Vegetables
• Fish
• Olive oil
• Garlic (take a look at how garlic affects Lupus Warriors here)
• Flaxseed
• Walnuts
• Canola oil

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammation

Omega-3 fatty acids have the amazing ability to reduce inflammation in the body—including arthritis, lupus, asthma, and irritable bowel disease. The potent micro-nutrient is apparent in traditional paleo-like diets, such as Scandinavian, Mediterranean, and Japanese diets. A notable common denominator of all these diets is they are packed with fish, fresh produce, and certain types of oils.

There is more than one type of omega-3 fatty acid. Two types of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are:

1. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid); and
2. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

Both of these compounds can lower inflammation, resulting in a decrease in swelling and pain. Additional research shows that these acids might also suppress the body’s immune system.

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story

The right type of fish

As mentioned above, fish—especially oily fish—are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Certain specialty oils also carry omega-3 fatty acids:

• Cod liver oil
• Mustard oil
• Walnut oil

What Are Omega-6 Fatty Acids?

Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential to some bodily functions. Many health experts, though, agree there should be a two-to-one (2:1) balance between omega-3’s and omega-6’s. The more omega 3’s in the diet, the smaller the risk of developing inflammation.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Inflammation

Omega-6 fatty acids are considered pro-inflammatory. They are broken down by the body and converted into prostaglandins and other inflammatory proteins. These proteins cause inflammation.

When omega-6 fatty acids are consumed, inflammatory proteins are quickly created. Because of this speed, the body’s natural process of metabolizing them is overwhelmed. Therefore, inflammation and its symptoms are much more likely to occur.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in most meats and poultry products. There is even an abundance of these acids in certain whole grains and vegetable oils. There are some omega-6-packed sources—(these sources can be very beneficial for individuals with a deficiency):

• Grapeseed oil
• Sunflower seed oil
• Borage oil
• Evening primrose oil
• Black currant seed oil

A Balanced Diet

The conclusion is to eat a diet that is balanced and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure the maintenance of the two-to-one omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids ratio. If there is a concern of too much omega-6 in the diet, supplements such as fish oils can be a great addition to a treatment strategy for inflammation reduction.

Looking for additional information on diet and nutrition? It may be beneficial to add a dietician or nutritionist to your lupus treatment team.

For #LupusWarriors who cannot work due to severe symptoms, there are certain government benefits for people with a qualifying disability.

Continue reading to learn how disability works and how to file a claim.

What Is ‘Disability’?

The American Disabilities Act was established in 1990 to provide those with disabilities—mental or physical—similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.

Social Security Disability Insurance is a payroll tax-funded, federal insurance program of the United States government. Managed by the Social Security Administration, it is designed to provide supplemental income to people who are restricted by either a mental or physical disability from work.

SSD can be given on either a temporary or permanent basis. The disability prohibiting employment needs to also last for at least one year. #LupusWarriors whose symptoms make working impossible can apply for SSDI through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA also includes information for building your application.

How to Apply for Disability

Before making an appointment and trip to the nearest SSA office, make sure doctors or members of your lupus treatment team should note any limitations or restrictions resulting from the medical condition. Thorough documentation is key to really explaining how the manifestations of lupus interfere with daily activity.

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story

A number of individuals claim that consulting with a disability attorney can have a major impact on approval. Attorneys may also increase the odds of having better monthly benefits.

Generally, there is a test an applicant needs to complete along with the detailed letters and medical records that support the diagnosis, symptoms, treatment results, and side effects. Records should indicate all the specific symptoms along with corresponding severity levels.

The claims process is very scrupulous with the average claim taking at least five months. A claim can be denied twice, but there is an opportunity for an appeals process. The final step is a hearing before an administrative law judge to rule on the case.

Centers for Independent Living

Centers for Independent Living (CIL’s) were established in the 1960’s along with the independent living movement. These organizations are federally mandated to be in every state to serve as centers of resources. Activities within these organizations include wheelchair repair, personal care attendant services, support groups, referral services, social services, and more.

The purpose of Centers for Independent Living are to help individuals with disabilities lead more independent lives. If a #LupusWarrior feels as if they are severely affected by their specific manifestations of lupus, this type of organization might be worth a phone call.

The Takeaway

Filing for disability is a major decision and takes a long time. #LupusWarriors shouldn’t be discouraged if they are denied disability status. Under the ADA, employers must make workplace accommodations for employees in reasonable ways. Talk to your medical team, peers, family, and perhaps a disability advocacy organization to see if filing for disability is the best choice.

#LupusWarriors that are pregnant have a great chance of having healthy, happy, and normal experiences. Understand more about certain risks and advocate for you and your baby’s health.

A pregnancy alongside lupus presents additional challenges and risks that should be managed. All lupus pregnancies are considered high-risk—however, less than 50% of lupus pregnancies have complications.

Every woman has a different journey during pregnancy. Kind of like a science experiment, each woman has different indicators and reactions causing slight or significant departures from normal functions. When dealing with lupus, these manifestations from pregnancy might seem like lupus flares—it’s important to be able to distinguish between the two.

Before a Pregnancy

Planning is key to having a healthy pregnancy for #LupusWarriors. Before conception, talk to your lupus treatment team about concerns and their recommendations. Rheumatologists might suggest adding a perinatologist or high-risk obstetrician and a pediatric cardiologist.

Risks for the Baby

Again, there are great chances for #LupusWarriors to have healthy pregnancies. Some women even state their lupus symptoms decreased during their pregnancies. But, if flare ups occur during pregnancies, there are concerns and measures must be taken.

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story.

Risk of miscarriage

Before—(if it’s possible to notice one is coming)—during, and/or after a flare up, immediately make an appointment with the medical provider to ensure the baby’s health. SLE can increase the rate of the two types of miscarriage. A fetal death in utero—a missed abortion—is when the products of conception need to be evacuated. A spontaneous abortion is when there is the passing of some or all of the tissue.

Any miscarriage is traumatizing. #LupusWarriors who have active disease states are most likely to experience miscarriages in the second or third trimester. In addition to physical health, it is important to value the importance of mental health during a pregnancy as well. Family and friends can be great resources as can mental health professionals.

Miscarriages in the first trimester have no profound effect on the mother’s body and usually are unnoticed until a doctor determines the unfortunate event. If a #LupusWarrior experiences a miscarriage in the first trimester, it is most likely independent of lupus.

Neonatal Lupus

Neonatal lupus is pretty rare—but it does happen. This congenital condition is when the autoantibodies of the mother travel to the baby. Individuals with neonatal lupus more often than not only have one affected organ.

The most common complication of neonatal lupus is a prominent skin rash. Just like a rash during a lupus flare, the baby will have red, scaly lesions on the body. Neonatal lupus that only expresses skin rash, is most of the time transient—it disappears shortly after birth.

Neonatal lupus that exhibits heart block as the congenital defect, is more complicated and severe. If neonatal lupus’ main manifestation is the heart, this could develop in the second or third trimester. A heart block is when there are abnormal beats.

This is why it’s extremely important for #LupusWarriors to gather a medical team consisting of a pediatric cardiologist and a high-risk obstetrician as well as to be aware of a potential premature delivery.

Other symptoms of neonatal lupus that are less common are an enlarged liver and spleen and macrocephaly.

Risks for the Mom

The mother has a high risk of developing preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is when a woman experiences high-blood pressure and an increased amount of protein in the urine. Protein in the urine is a definite sign of unhealthy kidneys. Kidneys that are damaged by disease allow protein to leak from the blood to urine.

Preeclampsia can develop slowly starting from the second or first trimester or acutely such as the onset of labor. If a pregnant woman has a flare during pregnancy, renal disease (kidney dysfunction) is a strong possibility. For #LupusWarriors, if the body attacks the kidneys during a flare, it could strongly lead to preeclamptic symptoms.

Symptoms of preeclampsia are swollen feet, legs, and hands. Feet and legs swell with normal pregnancies. So, it’s important for #LupusWarriors to really monitor their swelling in the body.

Lupus Pregnancies and Treatment

Providers might prescribe medication during lupus pregnancies. Common drug treatments consist of steroid in low doses and the cautious use of immunosuppressive drugs.

What to Take Away

#LupusWarriors that are pregnant are considered high-risk pregnancies. But many times there are no severe complications. Armed with the right information, be an advocate for you and your baby’s health. Drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet, and avoid gaining too much weight.

The birth of a child is a beautiful thing. Be informed, observant, and enjoy every second of the journey. Congratulations to all future moms!

Dealing with job searching AND lupus can seem overwhelming and scary. With the right information and some practical tips, the process might not be that arduous. Continue reading to learn about overcoming job searching lupus challenges.

Job searching is already a time-consuming process that requires attention, focus, and perseverance. It’s extremely common to not hear back from positions—which is never encouraging. But, what if a really great organization shows interest? For a #LupusWarrior, prepping for the interview could be only one of the unnerving aspects of the job application process.

The complexities of having lupus aren’t reflected in many interview processes or guides. As if preparing for an interview isn’t enough, #LupusWarriors should also consider their legal rights and best practices for the advocating for their health while the job searching.

Job Applications and Lupus

Job applications might pose a question about physical capabilities. How does a #LupusWarrior respond when generally it is a yes or no question? The nuances of having lupus are not appreciated in job applications. Many No matter how strong or hardworking a person with lupus is, a flare can still take them out of commission.

In the United States, individuals’ health histories are protected under HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 basically protects people from having to share their medical records with any institution or organization. An employer does not have the right to ask a medical professional without the employee’s consent to see health documents.

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story.

It is extremely rare for applications to ask applicants to hand over intimate knowledge of their health (except for some positions with the government). In the later stages of applications, jobs that involve safety risks for the worker or others will most likely ask for a physical and health clearance from a medical professional.

Although many applications which require medical clearance thoroughly consider permission on a case-by-case basis, it’s important to understand the medical professional’s concerns and objective perspective. Work with them and don’t get frustrated.

What’s the Best Protocol?

Honesty is the best policy. By law, employers are required to make accommodations for their employees. Individuals are protected under the American with Disabilities Act and Equal Employment Opportunities Commission to not be discriminated against for their health status and/or disability.

That does not mean, though, that applicants and employees have to say anything about their health—especially if it’s not asked. If a #LupusWarrior is buying into a group insurance policy, it’s possible that individual will have to divulge they have a pre-existing condition to the insurance company. That information—especially with large organizations—might make it to the human resources department. HR representatives absolutely must keep this information confidential.

Disability As an Alternative and Re-Entering the Workforce

Working may not be an option for everybody with lupus. If the medical state is severe, any #LupusWarrior between the ages of 18-64 can apply for disability. This means that they must not work, though.

If #LupusWarriors decide to re-enter the workforce, the Ticket to Work Program sets an individual on a program with an advocate to find a job. The advocate can also accompany a person to their place of work and support them during the re-entry phase.

Your Rights, Laws, and Worries

All in all, there are laws and programs to help #LupusWarriors stay private, excel in the workforce, and keep their bodies healthy. Most employers want people who can communicate clearly, be positive, and understand the commercial activities within the organization. So, be honest, positive, and upfront (even to yourself) of what you can bring to the table and how employers can give support.

Lupus can have a significant impact on joints. Learning how to care for joints while exhibiting symptoms helps maintain an overall sense of well-being and decreases the risk of future problems.

Lupus joint pain can cause general stiffness—usually in the morning—that gets somewhat better as the day progresses. Although lupus joint pain may not be actual arthritis, the pain and discomfort #LupusWarriors feel is very real. Continue reading to learn more about joint pain and lupus and ways to alleviate it.

Common Joint Pain for #LupusWarriors—Lupus Arthritis

Joint pain is often one of the first signs of disease activity for #LupusWarriors. As stated previously, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning. The medical term for morning pain is arthralgia. As the body gets going and loosens up, the pain can diminish. For some #LupusWarriors, the discomfort can creep back up later in the day at full force.

Lupus joint pain typically affects fingers, wrists, and knees. Other major joint areas like ankles, elbows, and shoulders are not typically affected as much but are a definite possibility.

As with rheumatoid arthritis, the pain mirrors on both sides of the body—if the right knee hurts, the left will hurt too. Another similar symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is the arthritic joint nodules. #LupusWarriors, however, rarely develop physical distortions symptomatic of rheumatoid arthritis such as collapsed ankles.

Impacts of Lupus Arthritis

The joint pain can come with swelling and heat. In fact, painful swollen joints are some of the first signs of lupus. Although temporary, when a person is in an increased disease state, the swollen and warm joints can significantly impact daily activity.

When experiencing joint pain from lupus, the main goal is to keep pain at an endurable and bearable level. Trying not to perform strenuous activity—in some cases, no activity at all—can speed recovery time and just help with maintaining an overall sense of well-being.

Ways to Take It Easy

Take a Bath: Soaking in hot water can loosen stiff joints. Try adding some Epsom salts and essential oils to create the ultimate relaxing experience.

Get Comfortable: Sit or lie down in a way that’s conducive to watching the kids, answering emails, or catching up on your favorite TV show. Avoiding putting pressure on the inflamed joint will help tremendously with pain management and recovery.

Phone a Friend: A friend can help out in a few ways during joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. He or she can help gently move the joint in all directions to prevent it from fully locking up. A friend can also help pitch in around the house. They can help fix or pick up meals, clean, walk the dog, watch the kids, and help out in whatever way you need them. This is what friends are for—don’t be afraid to ask for help.

When You Can’t Take It Easy

For those who may not be able to take the day off, go easy and talk to a medical provider about pain relief medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are an excellent pain relieving treatment option; i.e.: aspirin.

This Too Shall Pass

Lupus arthritis or joint pain from lupus is very much a secondary manifestation of the condition. It’s real, it’s intense, but it will go away. Relying on friends and relaxation techniques can help ease the pain and keep the body comfortable during a flare. Take it easy and know there is a community of people out there for support