Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Lupus Tips: Which Diet Do We Need to Avoid

Lupus Introduction

Support Lupus
Image Courtesy: Support.com

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system of the body becomes hyperactive that can damage any part of the body including joints, skin as well as organs inside the body. A person experiences various symptoms such as swelling, inflammation and damage of skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, blood and the heart. These signs and symptoms usually last longer than six weeks and many times for years. Because of lupus the immune system of the body gets affected very badly and loses the ability to fight against germs, viruses and bacteria. Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15 to 44); however teenagers, children and men develop lupus too. Research has estimated that about 1.5 million Americans suffer from Lupus. It can be mild or life threatening. 

May Health Awareness Month for Lupus

May Health Awareness Month for Lupus
Image Source:evbdn.eventbrite.com

A number of studies have shown that lupus is a chronic illness that has an effect on mental health. The thing that lupus and mental health has in common is that, both the cases are often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. May is the month for lupus and mental health awareness. Everyone is encouraged to wear purple to show support for those fighting with this disease. People actively participate and help raise awareness of lupus. The main purpose of this is to educate the community about this chronic disease. The facts about lupus are shared between friends and family members. When a celebrity suffers from illness or pain, it often gets left in the shadows. 

Percentage of Men & Women With Lupus

Percentage of Men & Women With Lupus
Image Courtesy: cdc.gov

The majority of lupus patients are women; only 4 to 8% men get affected by it. There is a variation in the male to female ratio in lupus depending upon the different age groups. Among early adolescents and children one in four patients diagnosed with SLE is men. Between the ages of 15 and 50, men represent nearly 6 to 10% of patients diagnosed with SLE. This disparity drops slightly after the age of 50 as males comprise one in nine newest cases. Many celebrities have chosen to come forth with their conditions, in the hopes their celebrity will rid the condition of stigma, to raise funds for research, and to provide hope for the everyday person who shares their problem. Lupus can affect everyone not even the famous are spared

celebrities with lupus


Foods to Avoid in Lupus

You can live a healthy and happy life even if you have lupus. Your diet should contain foods that help to restore the immune system of your body. You have to make certain changes in your daily diet to notice some positive changes.


  • Mushrooms and Beans tastes good but they contain hydrazines and amines that make the symptoms of lupus worse.
  • Sprouts and Alfalfa seeds contain an amino acid known as L-canavanine; they should be avoided as amino acid can also worsen lupus symptoms.
  • Hot dogs that are cured meats are very bad for lupus patients. They contain components that have been known to trigger symptoms of lupus.
  • Dairy, meats, eggs, peanuts and nori seaweed contain arachidonic acid that is highly destructive to the body.
  • White potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and eggplant should also be avoided as they contain solanine that increases pain and inflammation in lupus patients. 
  • It is good for lupus patients to reduce fat up to 25%.
  • While taking herbs such as echinacea, andrographis, Panax, ginseng and garlic you should be careful as they are known to increase autoimmunity.
Juice Feast Raw food For Lupus

 

Precautions for lupus

Lupus is often mistaken for other disease, it is hard to diagnose. People may have lupus for a while before they come to know to about it. If you notice symptoms tell your doctor immediately. There is no single test for lupus but your doctor can find out if you have lupus in other following ways:

  • By looking at your medical history
  • Lupus family history or other autoimmune diseases
  • Complete physical test, doctor will look for rashes or other signs on your body.
  • Urine and Blood tests, the antinuclear antibody (ANA) test can reveal if your immune system is more likely to make the autoantibodies of lupus.

No comments:

Post a Comment