How to Manage Lupus
- 1). Exercise. This is an important part of keeping your muscles strong and keeping joints flexible.
- 2). Predict flare-ups. You will learn your personal signs of an oncoming flare-up. Call you healthcare professional when you feel one coming on. Early treatment prevents full-blown flare-ups.
- 3). Control stress. Stress relievers such as deep breathing, visualization or listening to soft music are just a few possibilities. Take yourself out of stressful situations when at all possible. Stress adds to your pain level and may worsen your condition.
- 4). Guard against joint injury. Although exercise is important for managing Lupus, joints must be protected against injury. When an exercise movement causes pain, stop immediately.
- 5). Avoid long periods of time in the sun. Many people afflicted with Lupus are sun sensitive.
- 6). Change your diet to include foods containing Omega-3 oils and supplements. Snack on nuts and seeds. Supplement with flax seed oil or fish oil. Scientific studies have shown that Omega-3 oil may reduce inflammation.
- 7). Discuss pregnancy plans with your healthcare professional. Women’s hormone levels change with pregnancy. Your doctor can tell you when the optimal time is to have a child. He will work closely with you attempting to avoid Lupus flare-ups.
Source...