“You have lupus disease.” These are four words no patient wants to hear from his or her physician, especially since there is no known cure. However, take heart if you’re one of the thousands suffering lupus symptoms around the globe - there are plenty of ways to enjoy a rich, full existence even if you’ve been weighed down by this condition.
About Lupus Disease
Lupus is really quite sneaky and seems to mimic other diseases, making identification difficult. It attacks an individual’s immune system, affecting the joints, blood, and any number of internal organs. Lupus symptoms often include arthritis-like pain, debilitating exhaustion, skin rashes, high fevers, and anemia, among others. Consequently, patients often endure months of testing before a diagnosis of lupus disease is finalized.
By this point in time, many sufferers are already feeling depressed or confused, so when they hear that they have lupus disease, they understandably have mixed emotions. On one hand, they are glad to finally be able to pinpoint the cause of their symptoms; on the other hand, they don’t want to hear that they have something quite as debilitating and seemingly untreatable as lupus disease.
Living with Lupus Symptoms
After the shock of a lupus disease diagnosis wears off, it’s essential that the patient begin to fight against the condition and lupus symptoms. And one of the best ways that individuals do so is with a diet and lifestyle change.
For example, many lupus disease sufferers who previously led a rather sedentary life turn to regular exercise to help with lupus symptoms and flare-ups. Though intense exercise may be difficult, moderate exercise is typically an exceptional method of controlling lupus symptoms.
Additionally, altering the foods one puts into his or her body seems to have a direct effect on how much and how often the lupus disease “takes hold” of the individual. Those patients who opt for low fat, healthier dishes rather than fat-laden ones or fast food usually see an immediate difference in both the frequency and length of lupus symptoms. Great choices include fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed (in oil or food form), and Vitamin E rich products.
Finally, though many lupus disease patients do take NSAIDS to deal with the pain of arthritis-like joint problems and swelling, others have tried to opt for more natural methods of controlling aches. These include everything from meditation to vitamins.
Trial and Error
If you’ve been diagnosed with lupus disease, it’s important to remember that no one answer fits everyone. Therefore, never be afraid to take the proverbial “bull” by the horns and experiment on your own.
Add a daily walk to your morning, sprinkle flaxseed on your cup of yogurt at lunch, and opt for spinach as a salad green. Though these seem like insignificant choices, they can make a huge difference in how you feel about your specific lupus symptoms and how the disease affects you.
You deserve to live the life you’ve always wanted, whether or not lupus disease is part of it. Lupus may be a piece of who you are, but never allow it to define you.
