Lupus: Winning Strategies

According to Dennis Boulware,  M.D., associate professor of medicine and chief of rheumatology at the Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, medicine has advanced on the lupus front. Today the life expectancy of someone with lupus is the same as that of someone without lupus.  The symptoms of lupus are: hives, swelling of arms, legs and face, bleeding eyes, aching joints and muscles, and soaring blood pressure.

Young adults can develop lupus.  Symptoms vary from one person to the next, such as fever, fatigue, facial rash, sensitivity to sunlight, inflammation of outer lining of the lungs, obstructing normal breathing.  There are some symptoms, such as inflammation of the kidneys and the brain that can be worrysome.

Statistics show that 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year, adding to the 500,000, already diagnosed.  In order to diagnose the disease, certain tests are taken, such as studies of urine and blood, x-rays, electrocardiograms, as well as kidney biopsies.

The cause of lupus is yet unknown.  It can be an inherited disease. Those suffering from lupus may inherit it to their child. The best way to prevent it from happening is by maintaining a healthy liestyle, such as good diet and exercise.

Women are more susceptible to lupus than men, and blacks more often than whites.

Some helpful tips:

l)  Shield yourself from the sun; 2) Avoid alcohol and cigarettes; 3) cut back on caffeine; 4) Beware of colds and flue; 5) Eat a lot of fiber; 6) Cut back on protein; 7) Exercise; Socialize and get counseling.