Lupus
Contents of this Article
Coping with Lupus
Lupus and Quality of Life
Despite the symptoms of lupus and the potential side-effects of treatment, people with lupus can maintain a high quality of life overall. Dealing with a long-lasting disease like lupus can be hard on the emotions. Concerns about your health and the effects of your lupus on your work and family life can be stressful. Changes in the way you look and other physical effects of lupus can be tough to handle. Your friends, family, and coworkers might not seem to understand how you feel. At times, you might feel sad or angry. Or, that you have no control over your life with lupus. But there are things you can do that will help you to cope and to keep a good outlook:
- Pace Yourself
People with lupus have limited energy and must manage it wisely. Most women with lupus feel much better when they get enough rest and avoid taking on too much at home and at work. To do this, pay attention to your body. Slow down or stop before you're too tired. Learn to pace yourself. Spread out your work and other activities. - Reduce Stress
Exercising, finding ways to relax, and staying involved in social activities you enjoy will reduce stress and help you to cope. - Get Support
Developing and maintaining a good support system is also important. A support system may include family, friends, medical professionals, community organizations, and support groups. Participating in a support group can provide emotional help, boost self-esteem and morale, and help develop or improve coping skills. Be open about your feelings and needs with family members and close friends. Group members teach one another how to enjoy life with lupus. They can help you to see that you are not alone. - Talk to Your Doctor
The symptoms of lupus and some medications can bring on feelings of depression. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about these feelings. Also, it is important for people with lupus to receive regular health care, instead of seeking help only when symptoms worsen. Results from a medical exam and laboratory work on a regular basis allows the doctor to note any changes and to identify and treat flares early. The treatment plan, which is tailored to the individual's specific needs and circumstances, can be adjusted accordingly. If new symptoms are identified early, treatments may be more effective. Other concerns also can be addressed at regular checkups. The doctor can provide guidance about such issues as the use of sunscreens, stress reduction, and the importance of structured exercise and rest, as well as birth control and family planning. Because people with lupus can be more susceptible to infections, the doctor may recommend yearly influenza vaccinations or pneumococcal vaccinations for some patients.
Women with lupus should receive regular preventive health care, such as gynecological and breast examinations. Men with lupus should have the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Both men and women need to have their blood pressure and cholesterol checked on a regular basis. If a person is taking corticosteroids or antimalarial medications, an eye exam should be done at least yearly to screen for and treat eye problems.
Staying healthy requires extra effort and care for people with lupus, so it becomes especially important to develop strategies for maintaining wellness. Wellness involves close attention to the body, mind, and spirit. One of the primary goals of wellness for people with lupus is coping with the stress of having a chronic (life long) disorder. Effective stress management varies from person to person. Some approaches that may help include exercise, relaxation techniques such as meditation, and setting priorities for spending time and energy. - Learn About Lupus
One key to managing lupus is to understand the disease and its impact. People who are well-informed and involved in their own care have less pain, make fewer visits to the doctor, feel better about themselves, and remain more active. Learning to recognize the warning signs of a flare can help the patient take steps to ward it off or reduce its intensity. Many people with lupus experience increased fatigue, pain, a rash, fever, abdominal discomfort, headache, or dizziness just before a flare. Developing strategies to prevent flares can also be helpful, such as learning to recognize your warning signals and maintaining good communication with your doctor.
References:
1) The National Women's Health Information Center - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office on Women's Health - May 2008 - www.4woman.gov
2) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) - Information Clearinghouse - National Institutes of Health - Department of Health and Human Services - NIH Publication No. 03-4178 - September 1997 - Revised August 2003 - www.niams.nih.gov
This summary is a general overview about the topic discussed and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Full Disclaimer & General Safety Advisory