Lifestyle

What if i have lupus?

23 Apr, 2023 by Dane Raynor

Have you ever woken up one day and started to experience some really strange symptoms that just don’t seem to go away? You may have found yourself struggling with aches, pains, skin rashes or just an overall sense of feeling unwell. Well if this sounds like you, then maybe it’s time to ask the question – what if I have lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect any part of your body including your skin, joints, and internal organs. It can be difficult to diagnose and even harder to live with. But fear not my fellow hypochondriacs! We’re going to break down everything you need to know so keep reading.

Symptoms of Lupus

One thing many people wonder about lupus is how they would even know if they had it in the first place – welcome my friend the symptom watch (not as exciting as The Watchmen but still important). Here are some things worth keeping tabs on:

  • Persistent fatigue
  • Joint pain
  • Unexplained fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Skin lesions/rashes
  • Sensitivity towards light (photosensitivity)

Now these symptoms aren’t unique exclusively to lupus but would warrant getting checked out by a dermatologist (General Practitioner/Doctor reference: yawn) who will assess if additional testing is needed specific for lupus awareness.

Diagnosis

Ahh yes everyone’s favorite topic diagnosis, nothing quite beats a self-proclaimed doctor naming his own ailment right? Unfortunately in reality diagnosing anything health-related requires physicians/specialists; though much more boring than wildly speculating before coming up with ridiculous hypotheses!

In addition common tests include general blood cells count, metabolic panels (Liver Infraction Enzymes etc.), urinalysis and chest X-Ray…speaking from personal experiences all actually pretty painful at least for someone gas and gag-prone like myself… Fortunately however additional tests can assess for antibodies that lupus patients typically produce (such as Anti-DNA test &smith), electrocardiograms or eventually kidney biopsies.

Who is likely to have Lupus?

Gender, Age, and Genetics are thought to be factors contributing to someone’s potential for developing lupus. While the gender aspect tends to skew 9:1 toward women another wrinkle in autoimmune disorder means it could affect anyone of any gender-age-group-ethnicity-statues-income….etc so really everyone should have some basic awareness of this vastly mystifying ailment which treats no two bodies exactly the same.

Treatment Options

Alright so you’ve gone through testing and well turns out your concerns were justified (cue dramatic sound effects) you indeed do actually have Lupus. Well don’t fret my creative procastinating friends! There exist treatment options both pharmaceutical/non-pharmaceutical approaches alike:

Anti-Inflammatory Medications: These will address temporary gum swells/lower fevers/ minor-pain associated with inflammation in many parts of body

Corticosteroids: Prednisone/high-dose corticosteroid medications tend to lessen swelling/inflammation often rapid relief though overuse can result in side-effects/problems like development-of-diabetes/mood-swings-cramps referred-to-as-moon-face -letting-every-90s-high-school-bully-off-the-hook.

Immunosuppressive Medications: Like Methotrexate/Cyclophosphamide working to suppress immune-system activities these may assist individuals who experience severe fatigue/painful rashes/joint aches nearly every day .

Self-Care Methods

Believe it or not there exists ways for more natural home remedies/self-care:

  • Reduce Exposure To Sunlight: With photosensitivity widely existing amongst Lupus-afflicted putting on sunscreen/staying indoors during high UV-index hours may reduce potential flare ups.

  • Gentle Exercise: Common misconception with autoimmune disorders that exercise-activities should be avoided entirely but in actuality less intensive (except extreme conditions like hyperextended joints/mechanical heart valves..etc) could actually provide relief from pain, allowing an increased range of motion or becoming less fatigued

  • Adequate Rest: SLEEP THIS IS THE END ALL BE ALL. Lupus & tiredness often quite overlapping so it’s crucial to take time/establish routine to allow proper rest within your lifestyle – this doesn’t only relieve exhaustion but also helps the body address lupus complications like joint/muscle inflammation, kidney dysfunction and other varieties .

Coping with Lupus

Last topic before we will leave you alone hopefully more enlightened about lupus! By no means is living with any chronic illness easy , hence importance for human-beings everywhere to develop coping mechanisms/techniques in response to flares/symptoms:

Identify Triggers: As much as possible try assess patterns/trends that makes symptoms worse .Often including stressful/hazardous activities which become important indicators needing adjustments anywhere from work setting/social personality group/adaptions/aspirations-papsmear…like everything matters act accordingly!

Seek Support: From friends/family members-doctors-counselors/support groups whatever strengthens efforts toward cathartic ability talk/complain/release anger at & towards others instead regarding yourself for not better/worse days.

Lupas-Like-A-Boss-Doritos Bags kicked? Well maybe a little bit more awareness than where one started. Remember hypocondria sometimes bad things can truly happen; ignoring our health tends make it even worse when later acknowledging something may have been afoul all along. So keep vigilant-check how you’re feeling-and when needed-change things up (houseplants are good too!). Stay healthy would ya?!

Related Topics:

  1. How do you get rid of lupus?
  2. How do you know you have lupus?
  3. How does lupus begin?
  4. What meds are given for lupus?
  5. What to avoid if you have lupus?

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