There was a time when those suffering from this condition didn’t have many options for dealing with their sometimes excruciating pain beyond taking lots of pain killers…which had negative effects of their own. Now, those suffering from lupus have many treatment options. Including at home lupus treatments.
Why would someone want to try at home lupus treatments? Well, while the medications that might be prescribed by a doctor can alleviate and minimize many of the symptoms of lupus, they are not always 100% successful. At home treatments can help with any lingering signs and symptoms of the condition, helping you to remain active.
Here are some ways you can treat your lupus at home.
Watch the Sun Exposure
Sometimes, those with lupus experience what is called a flare. During a flare, symptoms like pain and inflammation increase drastically, and can become almost unbearable. UV rays can trigger flares, so it’s important to protect yourself from the sun. Where sunscreen, with an SPF of 15 or more, every day, even when it’s overcast. You should also wear protective clothing, like long sleeved shirts, pants, and hats.
Get Plenty of Sleep
One of the symptoms experienced by those with lupus is fatigue, feeling extremely tired and rundown. Making sure you get plenty of sleep can help with this symptom. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep at night. And, during the day, schedule several 30 to 60 minutes “nap breaks.” This might not completely alleviate your feelings of fatigue, but it will certainly help.
Get Plenty of Exercise
The better shape you are in physically, the better your body will be able to deal with the symptoms of lupus. So try to exercise regularly, at least 3 or 4 times a week. Although doing some type of physical activity ever day would be beneficial.
Living with lupus can be a challenge. But at home lupus treatments can help to reduce or eliminate your symptoms, so you can continue to enjoy your life.
There was a time when there wasn’t much a doctor could do for a patient with lupus. But there have been amazing advances since then, and patients will find they have many different treatment options for their lupus. Items found in nature can go a long way towards helping patients alleviate, or even eliminate, their symptoms.
Here are some of the natural remedies lupus sufferers have found beneficial.
Fish Oil
Lupus causes inflammation, which is largely responsible for the joint pain and stiffness lupus sufferers often experience. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can stop the body from producing the biochemicals that can cause this inflammation. Try adding more fatty fish to your diet. You can also take fish oil supplements.
Vinegar and Water Soaks
One of the most bothersome symptoms lupus sufferers experience is pain in their hand joints. We all use our hands to do just about everything, including performing essential, every day tasks. But, when your hands hurt, it can be hard to do much of anything. One way to relieve pain in your hands caused by lupus is to soak them in a vinegar and water bath. Combine warm water and a two or three tablespoons of vinegar in a sink or large bowl, and soak your hands in that mixture for about 10 or 15 minutes.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an Indian spice that contains a compound call curcumin. And curcumin is an antioxidant. Many patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, like lupus, find that taking 400 to 600 about three times a day helps to relieve many of their aches and pains, including joint swelling and stiffness. Also, patients who felt a lupus flare coming on often found that taken curcumin helped to decrease the severity of the flare.
It is important to get the proper medical treatment, preferably from a specialist, if you have lupus. Natural cures, however, can help you find even more relief from lupus pain.
Alternative Therapies: Lupus and the Benefits of Fish Oil
When looking for ways to deal with ailments, many people are now looking for answers in alternative therapies. Lupus, however, seems like a condition that wouldn’t benefit much from the use of “home cures.” But this isn’t the case. Many people who suffer from this disease find that alternative remedies help to relieve their symptoms, and continue to lead active lives. And one of the alternative remedies that seem to be the most effective against lupus is fish oil.
When searching for ways to treat patients with autoimmune diseases, many doctors actually look for ways to make their patients more comfortable in alternative therapies. Lupus patients, it’s been found, can benefit greatly from the Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. How? Well, one of lupus’s most problematic symptoms is inflammation. Inflammation of the joints can cause swelling and stiffness, making it hard for the patient to move around and perform normal, day to day activities. And inflammation around the heart and lungs can cause chest pains.
Fish oil can drastically reduce inflammation. It does this by reducing your body’s production of inflammatory biochemicals. The fewer of these biochemicals you have running through your body, the less pain and swelling you’ll have to contend with.
Try working more fish into your regular diet. And go for the fatty fish that contain more Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish like mackerel, salmon, tuna, herring, and anchovies are a great choice.
If you find working fishing into your diet difficult, or you just don’t like the way fish tastes, you can also take fish oil supplements. However, talk to your doctor first. While fish oil has no serious side effects, it can interfere with other medications, making them less potent and effective.
Many people shy away from the use of alternative therapies. Lupus patients, however, should definitely consider using fish oil to help alleviate their symptoms.
Lupus is a chronic disease that affects millions of people. For many, the pain and other symptoms caused by this condition can be downright debilitating. But living with lupus isn’t impossible. While dealing with the symptoms can be challenging and disheartening, there are things you can do to minimize the impact this disease has on your life.
See a Doctor Who Specializes in Treating Lupus
While a general practitioner might be able to help you deal with your condition to some degree, your best bet is a doctor who specializes in treating patients suffering from lupus, like a rheumatologist. They might know about treatments your regular doctor doesn’t.
Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself
Lupus is a disease that can make it hard to be as active, and to get as many things done, as you used to be. As a result, it could be easy to feel down on yourself because you don’t feel you’re doing enough. But take it easy on yourself. Accept that there might be limitations on how much you can do, especially when you’re experiencing a lupus flare. Maintaining a positive attitude will actually help you to feel better physically.
Find a Support Group
Living with lupus is easier when you can talk to people who are experiencing the same things you are. So try to find a lupus support group in your area. If you’re having trouble finding such a group on your own, ask your doctor for recommendations.
Learn All You Can About Lupus
As the saying goes, knowledge is power. And you should take it upon yourself to learn as much as you can about your disease. As a result of your research, you might find out about treatments and remedies that your doctor might not have mentioned.
When it comes to living with lupus, taking charge of your condition is your best option. Learning all you can, seeking the right medical help, and keeping a positive attitude will make dealing with your situation a little easier.
What are the signs and symptoms of lupus? There are actually many of them. And, because so many of the symptoms can be attributed to other diseases and conditions, pinpointing lupus as the cause can be hard to do without being examined by a doctor. However, knowing what those symptoms are can give you a head start in determining whether or not you might have this disease, and when you should seek medical help.
One of the most common symptoms of lupus is fatigue, feeling tired and worn down. In fact, the fatigue can be as debilitating as the pain lupus can cause.
Speaking of pain, joint pain is another common symptom of lupus. Many people suffering from this condition experience pain, stiffness and swelling in their knees, fingers, and other joints.
Lupus can also affect your mental and emotional state, causing memory loss, depression, and anxiety. And the problems and complications lupus can cause in your daily life can make these symptoms even worse.
Some other signs and symptoms of lupus can include:
* Running fevers, even when you don’t seem to actually be sick.
* Losing or gaining weight.
* Sores in your mouth.
* Hair loss.
* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
* Pains in your chest.
* Skin lesions that get worse when you spend any time in the sun.
* Eye dryness.
* Bruising very easily.
A really distinctive lupus symptom is something called a malar rash. This rash, which can sort of be shaped like a butterfly, can cover the area across your cheeks and the bridge of your nose.
And do your fingers or toes turn blue or white when you’re exposed to the cold, or are experiencing a period of stress. If so, this could be a sign that you have lupus.
Have you experienced four or more of the signs and symptoms of lupus? If so, don’t panic. See a doctor to find out for sure. And know that, with the proper treatment, it is still possible for those suffering from lupus to enjoy a happy, active life.
