Living with Lupus
Stressors and Lupus: Management Techniques
Stress affects everyone and it can cause major health changes, particularly for people with lupus. Developing successful strategies for coping with stressors is an important part of self care. Stress is hard to define, but we all know it when…
Acupuncture, Pain Reduction, & Lupus
Looking for strategies to help battle pain and fatigue without more medications? Alternative treatments like acupuncture may offer support to Lupus Warriors. The goal of lupus treatment can vary between clinicians and people living with lupus. A recent study found that…
Measuring Lupus Disease Activity Over Time
Some say that the only thing constant is change. This can feel especially true for Lupus Warriors. Despite the value of tracking disease activity, measuring lupus disease activity remains a challenge. Accurate, reliable measurements of disease activity are a crucial…
High-Fiber Diets: Benefits for People with Lupus?
According to a 2018 study conducted on lupus-prone mice, a specific high-fiber diet can stimulate immune system cells and pathways associated with lupus disease development. It’s no secret to people living with lupus: diet can have a major impact on…
Positive Affirmations and Lupus
Positive affirmations and positive thinking are two powerful strategies that can help Lupus Warriors improve self esteem, manage stress, & get motivated to take on challenges. Staying positive and motivated when dealing with lupus and its myriad symptoms isn’t easy.…
Narcolepsy, Sleep Deprivation, and Lupus
A good night's sleep and energetic days can seem like unattainable luxuries for people with lupus. The cause may be narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that can be caused by autoimmune conditions. Sleep plays a vital role in physical health, emotional…
Atrial Fibrillation, Hydroxychloroquine, and Lupus
Hydroxychloroquine, also known as Plaquenil or HCQ, reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation for people with lupus by 67% according to a recent study. HCQ is a commonly-prescribed oral drug for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Originally an anti-malarial drug, HCQ…
Cold Weather, Symptom Flares, and Lupus
Cold weather can bring lupus flares with it, but the reasons behind these flares are not fully understood. How can you prepare yourself for the cold months? Most people with lupus are, unfortunately, very familiar with symptom flares. The triggers…
Cutaneous Lupus (CLE), Quality of Life, & Fatigue
Cutaneous Lupus (CLE) is a form of lupus that affects the skin. But these symptoms are more than skin-deep. CLE has an impact on quality of life and energy levels, too. Dermatologists identify three main types of Cutaneous lupus erythematosus…
Managing Energy, The Spoon Theory, and Lupus
Lupus Warriors know the challenges of managing energy carefully. Explaining the delicate balance to others can be difficult, but not impossible. The Spoon Theory is a useful strategy A few years ago, Christine Miserandino wrote a post on the blog…