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10 Natural Ways to Fight Lupus Symptoms

Systemic lupus erythematosus turns the body on itself, causing the immune system to attack healthy tissues and causing a range of symptoms that often defy treatments. It can sometimes take years for a diagnosis to be made, as symptoms mysteriously come and go, and traits of the disease change. Receiving a definite diagnosis can often provide some relief, because now all symptoms can be treated as part of a whole. Here are 10 natural ways to fight lupus symptoms.

1. Test for Food Sensitivities/Allergies

Complete a biofeedback test to determine what food sensitivities or allergies you might have. These foods create stress in your body and can lead to flare ups. Observe how your body responds to eliminating certain foods for specific periods of time using an elimination diet.

2. Exercise

Getting regular exercise is important to treat lupus for so many reasons. Exercise lowers stress, helps with sleep quality, makes your heart and lungs stronger, strengthens bones, improves flexibility, and lowers risk for complications. Physical exercise is a useful tool for improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing metabolic abnormalities and fatigue, and improving quality of life in people with lupus. This means you can add lupus treatment to the list of exercise benefits.

3. Add Magnesium and Vitamin B Richs Foods into your Diet

Magnesium has incredible mind and body healing benefits. It helps regulate blood sugar signaling patterns and it also protects the blood-brain barrier. Some of the richest magnesium and vitamin B rich foods include grass-fed dairy, pumpkin seeds, and dark leafy green vegetables. Consume the foods you tolerate best. Also consider increasing your magnesium levels by relaxing in an Epsom salt bath.

4. Stress Reduction

Research shows that psychological and emotional stress can set off lupus or bring about a lupus flare-up by increasing inflammatory responses. Systemic lupus can also be very unpredictable and cause changes to the central nervous system, which leads to severe psychological distress and anxiety.

5. Consume Herbs High in Antioxidants

Adding herbs to boost the antioxidant power of your meals such as ginger, oregano, garlic, turmeric, basil, thyme and rosemary is always a good idea. You can also drink these herbs in teas regularly for optimal benefits.

6. Getting Enough Sleep and Rest

Studies have shown that 53 percent to 80 percent of lupus patients have identified fatigue as one of their primary symptoms. Because fatigue is a big obstacle for most people with lupus, taking measures to make sure you’re getting enough quality sleep every night and also rest during the day is extremely important.

7. Supplement with Omega 3’s

Omega 3 fatty acids as well as long chain EPA and DHA are necessary to maintain healthy blood sugar levels as well as reduce pain and inflammation. Make sure to add more of these healthy fatty acids into your diet by consuming grass-fed butter, meat, wild caught fish and spirulina.

8. Protecting and Healing Sensitive Skin

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is the type of lupus that encompasses a wide range of dermatologic symptoms. Studies show that up to 90 percent of people with lupus develop skin rashes and legions, including a “butter-fly shaped” rash that covers the cheeks and nose.

  • Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours of the day, especially from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Wear non-toxic sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher.
  • Wear sunglasses and a hat.
  • Use a humidifier in your bedroom to help keep skin moist.

9. Practice Deep Breathing Techniques

You can improve your breathing patterns by participating in simple practices. See a chiropractor, pay attention to your posture throughout the day and follow other tips on improving your breathing patterns here.

10. Receive Chiropractic Care

Receiving regular adjustments from a chiropractor can alleviate the stress on the nervous system and improve your overall wellbeing.

Every patient with lupus will have a different and unique emotional response to the condition. Few people would claim to be happy about their disease, but many people with lupus have found that their diagnosis revealed an internal source of power they didn’t know they had. Follow these tips and make your symptoms a little more bearable.