Day-to-Day Living
Frustrations (and Remaining Optimistic) with Lupus
Living with lupus brings plenty of frustrations. Finding moments of optimism when you're feeling...
Gout, Uric Acid, and Lupus Nephritis
Sharp pains in the joints that seem to come and go at random. It...
Leaky Gut, Increased Intestinal Permeability, & Lupus
Known colloquially as "leaky gut," increased intestinal permeability may be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including lupus. The lining of your intestines acts as a 4000 square foot barrier that walls the gut off from the bloodstream. It only lets small...
Sugar & Health Risks for Lupus Warriors: Not So Sweet
Cutting sugar, especially processed sugars and carbohydrates, from your diet can be a challenge. But, it can lead to health benefits and fewer lupus flares. What would you cut first to decrease the amount of sugar you eat? Avoiding cookies, candies, and cakes is a good start....
Tooth Decay, Dental Caries, and Lupus
Trips to the dentist aren’t really fun. But, they are crucial to oral health. Around 85% of Lupus Warriors experience tooth decay during the battle with lupus. As if the pain and fatigue wasn’t enough! Many people with lupus experience dental...
Anxiety, Chronic Stress, and Lupus Symptoms
About 37% of people with lupus have also been diagnosed with anxiety. Feelings of chronic stress can permeate your life and these feelings shouldn't be ignored. Anxiety is a sense of fear or panic that intrudes into your thoughts, keeps you awake...
Allergies, Immunoglobulin E, & Lupus Symptoms
Spring brings more than warm weather. Flowers, pollen, and insects can add allergies to the mix for Lupus Warriors. An allergy is a reaction by your immune system to a stimulus that does not bother other people. An allergen is, simply, a personal trigger that sends your immune system into...
Mouth Ulcers, Oral Sores, & Lupus Symptoms
Mouth ulcers and oral sores are a common symptom of lupus, affecting around 50% of Lupus Warriors. These ulcers may be an indication of changes in disease activity. A mouth ulcer or canker sore is a shallow injury in the cheeks, tongue, or other soft parts of the mouth....
Pets, Health Benefits of Animals, & Lupus
“Sometimes it feels like my pet is the only one that understands me,” is a common refrain for many Lupus Warriors. Beyond being good listeners and friends, pets may also offer some health benefits for people with lupus. You’ll see videos of animals being...
Itchy Skin, Urticaria, & Rashes with Lupus
Rashes and lesions are common symptoms of lupus. Itchy skin can be more than an inconvenience -- it can be in indicator of changes in disease activity. The American College of Rheumatology uses an 11-item classification index to monitor lupus disease involvement. 4 of the 11 items relate to the skin.[thb_gap...
Smoking, e-Cigarettes, Nicotine, & Lupus
Many of the dangers of smoking cigarettes, including cancers, COPD, and emphysema, are well known. For Lupus Warriors, it's also important to understand the impacts of nicotine on the immune system. Cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke, is well-known as a risk factor for different kinds of cancers, infections, cardiovascular...