Posted on

5 Symptoms of Lupus

bigstock-132919457Over 1.5 million people are living with lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where one’s immune system attacks their body’s organs, joints and tissues. Anyone can get lupus, however lupus is more common in women of non-Caucasian descent. Since lupus is all too common it’s important that women be able to spot the signs and symptoms.

1. Fatigue
A common symptom of lupus is extreme fatigue. A lot of women with lupus wake up feeling tired, they never feel like they got a good night’s sleep. However, fatigue is a common symptom in many disorders and diseases, so just because you’re feeling burned out doesn’t mean you have lupus.

2. Joint pain and swelling
Swelling in the knuckles and joints is especially common in the morning. Joint pain and swelling can be easily confused with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), another autoimmune disease. However, there are two key differences between lupus and RA. Lupus usually occurs at a younger age and the joint pain and swelling in lupus can be unilateral, or only on one side. Those with lupus may notice swelling in their right hand but not their left. With RA the swelling is usually on both sides of the body.

3. Fevers and rash
An unexplained fever accompanied by a butterfly shaped rash on one’s face may indicate lupus.

4. Chest pain
Men and women with lupus often suffer from something called pleurisy. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleural lining of the lung and the chest cavity. This can result in tightness in the chest and painful breathing. This pain is typically worse when taking a deep breath.

5. Bloody urine and kidney stones
Lupus can attack any of the organs in one’s body. In advanced stages of the disease the body’s immune system attacks the kidneys. Weakened function of the kidney results in blood in the urine due to lack of filtration. Those with lupus also have a high risk of developing kidney stones.

If you have lupus, there are several things you can do to be sure you stay well:

  • Get plenty of rest
  • Start an exercise program
  • Eat a well-balanced diet
  • Keep up with your doctors

If you think you may be suffering from lupus, set up an appointment to see your doctor.

Have you or someone you love been diagnosed with lupus? How have you best managed your disease?

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my latest offering in dealing with unexpected healthcare: When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This is a bit different than my other books. When Life Happens is a workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here for only $10!

 

Posted on

Helpful Health Care Links for October 17, 2016

Pregnant Woman Being Given Ante Natal Check By DoctorThere is a lot going on in healthcare news this week! I have put together a handful of trending health topics to share with you in hopes that this information will assist you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few trending health articles for this week.

What does it mean to “eat clean”? Clean eating is basically a fancy way of saying eating healthy. It means eating foods in their whole, natural state as opposed to prepackaged and processed foods. It seems like eating clean would be difficult, but with the right information it can be easily become part of your lifestyle.

In his final months in office President Obama is still making strides for women’s healthcare. In a new ruling, Obama is pushing to permanently protect the services provided by Planned Parenthood. Many women, especially those of low income, depend on services provided by them to stay healthy. This is huge news for women.

We all know that one of the early signs of pregnancy is nausea and vomiting. A new study suggests that morning sickness is a good sign and is actually advantageous to the newly pregnant mother.

Starting a workout regimen can be hard. Most people don’t know what types of workouts they should be doing — cardio, strength straining, low impact — and others simply don’t know how to do the moves properly. Avoiding common mistakes when it comes to working out can be the key to success!

 

For more healthcare news and tips daily follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

Posted on

Eat Better, Together

Happy family enjoying a healthy meal together at home in the kitLeading a healthy and active lifestyle is extremely important for everyone in your family. However, changing dietary habits can be extremely difficult, especially if you’re the only one in the house
doing it. Instead, make it a family affair. Find ways to eat healthy and spend time as a family. Taking the time to sit down at the table together is important for your physical health, as well as your mental health. October is Eat Better, Eat Together month, so today we are going to discuss four ways to eat better as a family.

Eat at the table
These days kids and families are so busy it seems like there is little time to spend together. Set at lease one day a week where everyone must eat at the table together. This will allow you to share little pieces of your day and bond. And make sure you eat at the table, not on the couch by the TV. It seems like it’s easier to eat healthy when everyone else is doing it. Eating together isn’t only good for your physical health; it’s also good for your mental health.

Lead by example
If your kids see you eating well they will too. Kids have a tendency to model the behavior of their parents, this include dietary habits.

One bite rule
Follow the one bite rule – they must try at least one bite of everything on their plate, even if they claim they don’t like it. This will allow the food to be introduced to their diet and maybe one day their taste buds will change. I know someone who used this rule with their four kids. And I’ll tell you what; I’ve never seen a family that eats a wider variety of healthy foods and vegetables. There were at least three vegetables served with every meal! And guess what? Their adult children still eat that way today!

Make it fun
Include the kids in the grocery shopping or the cooking. Let them pick out fresh produce at the store that they want to try. And have them help prepare dinner. They will want to try the food they make and they gave you a little bit of help. It’s a win-win.

Now go make plans with your family for dinner!

 

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children, as well as your aging parents: Life in the Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!