Navigating Life With Lupus

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, 63% of Americans have never heard of lupus or know very little about the disease, despite an estimated 1.5 million people living with the condition in the United States.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue, causing systemic inflammation in multiple parts of the body, most commonly affecting the skin, joints, and internal organs such as the kidneys.

Lupus symptoms, like those of other autoimmune diseases, may come and go or even change over time, which is why it’s important to speak with a medical provider if you experience any of the following:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Swelling in the hands, feet, and around the eyes
• Fever
• Headaches
• Skin rashes
• Hair loss

Diagnosing lupus may be difficult, since symptoms vary and often mimic the symptoms of many other conditions. On average, it may take six years from the time patients notice their first symptom for people with lupus to be correctly diagnosed, which is why it is important to establish a relationship with your healthcare provider and to freely discuss changes in your health status.

While lupus can affect anyone, some individuals are at a higher risk of developing the condition, including:

• Women between the ages of 15 and 44 (9 out of 10 adults with lupus are women)
• Certain racial or ethnic groups, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders
• Those with a family history of lupus
• Individuals with another autoimmune disease

Patients diagnosed with lupus, and others with autoimmune conditions, may be referred to a rheumatologist for treatment and management of symptoms. Rheumatologists have several effective management strategies for treating lupus and work with diagnosed patients to tailor the plan of care to meet the patient’s specific needs. These treatments may include:

• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle changes

Treating lupus is a team effort between you and your doctor. Talk with your doctor about how living with lupus affects your daily life and identify factors that trigger your flare-ups, such as sunlight, stress, infections, and certain medications. Together, you may find a personalized treatment plan that works for you, helps minimize the frequency and severity of flare-ups, and improves your quality of life.

Talk to a Kelsey-Seybold provider today about your symptoms.