Nobody wants to be diagnosed with a serious disease, but once you know what’s causing your distress, you can at least form an action plan to get and stay as well as possible. If your doctor told you that you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or another form of lupus, the more you know about your condition, the sooner you can get back to living a full and rich life.
About 90% of the 1.5 million people in the United States with lupus are women. However, men, teens, and kids sometimes develop this autoimmune disease, too.
Lupus manifests slightly differently in various groups of people. For instance, if you’re African American, you’re more likely to have a type of lupus that affects your organ function. You might also be less likely to have the social support you need to get help with your disease.
However, our caring internist, Dr. Kimberly Bolling, encourages you not to focus on statistics. The only lupus case that concerns you is your own. With help from Dr. Bolling and our Bowie, Maryland, team, you can manage your disease and live the life you’re meant to live.
So, what does it mean when you have lupus, and what should you do first? This brief guide should help.
Lupus is called an autoimmune disease because the root of the problem stems from your own immune system. Instead of focusing on battling and killing invasive bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, your immune system attacks your own healthy tissues.
Researchers still aren’t clear why this happens. Lupus is one of more than 100 autoimmune disorders. If you have lupus, you might also have one or more other autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or type 2 diabetes.
You may have developed lupus because you inherited genes that make you more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. Certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking or exposure to toxins in your workplace or home, could also trigger lupus.
Lupus is a serious disease that can lead to life-threatening complications. That’s why your first step is to work with Dr. Bolling on a treatment plan, which may include lifestyle modifications, so that you can manage your flares and prevent disease progression as much as possible.
You may need a variety of medications, depending on your symptoms, which may come and go. Dr. Bolling customizes treatment based on your needs and may prescribe:
More than ever, healthy life choices make a difference in how you feel and how your disease progresses. You may need to cut out junk food, fast food, and processed foods (always a good thing!) and focus on more real foods, such as:
You can get inspiration for delicious new meals by looking up recipes for whole-food diets, such as the Mediterranean diet or DASH diet. The FDA’s “Real Foods” inverted pyramid provides a helpful visual approach to what proportions you should eat.
When you’re diagnosed with a disease such as lupus, it’s normal to feel angry, sad, and despairing. However, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of those feelings all by yourself. In fact, stress can trigger inflammation that worsens your symptoms.
In addition to Dr. Bolling and our team, look to your family and friends for support. You may need help adjusting to a new diet or exercise regimen. When you have other people on your team, they can help you make the lasting changes that make a real difference in your health and how you feel.
Find ways to support yourself, too. Give yourself self-care by learning deep breathing and other relaxation techniques. Do yoga or tai chi. Walk daily. Find exercise that’s fun, enlivening, and helps minimize stress.
You could also benefit from finding a counselor or therapist to help you deal with the strong and varying emotions that come with a major diagnosis. You could even join a lupus support group — in person or online — so that you can talk about your condition with those who are in your same position.
If you have lupus, don’t try to navigate these new and confusing waters alone. Call Dr. Bolling and our team today at 301-352-0090 for lupus recommendations and medications. You can also click here for our convenient appointment form.
