Lupus Health Center

continued...

Other good health habits that will help protect you include:

• Regular exercise.
• Education about lupus and self-care.
• Not smoking. Studies show that smoking makes symptoms worse in people with lupus and may decrease the effectiveness of some medicines. Experts suggest that people with lupus avoid all tobacco products.⁷
• Eating a healthful, balanced diet.
• Regular dental care.
• Regular eye examinations by an ophthalmologist.
• Developing a support system of family, friends, and health professionals.

Some people with lupus are sensitive to antibiotic drugs called sulfonamides (sulfa drugs). These include Bactrim, Septra, and many others. Your doctor can prescribe drugs that do not contain sulfa, if needed.

If you have lupus and are a woman in your childbearing years, pay special attention to pregnancy-related concerns, both before conceiving and while pregnant. Most women with well-controlled lupus can take birth control pills if they choose that method of birth control, and for most women lupus will not interfere with becoming pregnant or with pregnancy. But some women with lupus, especially those with active disease, are at higher risk of complications with pregnancy. All women of childbearing age should check with their rheumatologist when they are planning to become pregnant.

Home treatment and regular checkups are sometimes sufficient for managing mild lupus or for periods of remission. Be sure to have your doctor monitor your condition on a regular basis. These regular checks are important to detecting and treating progressive organ damage.

It is important that the people in your life understand what lupus is, how it affects your life, and how you can best cope with it. Help them understand your limitations and needs when your symptoms flare. Support groups are great places to learn coping strategies from others. For information about support groups, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.