Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus): Lifestyle Management

Lifestyle changes often help decrease symptoms. These changes include:

• getting extra rest during a flare;
• reducing stress;
• avoiding sun exposure with clothing and/or sunscreen.

Such lifestyle changes, combined with medication, can control lupus symptoms in most people.

Recent evidence also suggests that patients with lupus may have an increased risk of heart attacks as compared with the general population. This could be due to the chronic inflammation triggered by the disease but the cause is not entirely understood. Because of this risk, people with lupus should try to stay healthy and avoid smoking cigarettes.

To help reduce risk of heart disease, patients should: 

• follow a low fat, low cholesterol diet;
• maintain a healthy weight;
• avoid smoking;
• talk to a doctor about ways to reduce blood pressure.

This information has been approved by JoAnn Gillis, MD (April 2008).