Health Awareness (February, January & December)

February

❤ American Heart Month

❤ National Wise Health Consumer Month

❤ National Children's Dental Health Month

❤ International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month

January

☃ Cervical Health Awareness Month

☃ Thyroid Awareness Month

☃ National Glaucoma Awareness Month

☃ National Folic Acid Awareness Month

December 

❅ Safe Toys and Gifts Month 
❅ World AIDS Day (1)
❅ National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week (1-7)
❅ National Handwashing Awareness Week (5-11) 

When do I tell him I have a chronic illness?

A young lady asked me to get other lupie opinions regarding the right time to tell a new love interest about your chronic illness.  Well, everyone who responded pretty much said the same thing in some way or another.  The overwhelming response was "when you feel comfortable".  This is also my advice.  If you feel comfortable telling them on the first date then go for it, but if not just hold off until you do.  I also think that it is better to let them know as soon as possible.  One of the respondents also mentioned that you can weed out a certain type of guy (or girl) by being upfront in the beginning.  Some people will run as fast as they can.  Well, if they do then it is good that you got rid of them early, because you will eventually need his help and he probably won't give you the support that you need.  
I understand if you feel apprehensive about letting people in too early.  It is natural, but you may eventually become more comfortable with sharing your situation with people, even someone that you just began courting.  No one can tell you when YOU should share your health condition, only you can determine that.  If it takes too long for you to feel comfortable with a certain person then they are probably not the right person for you.  
I personally feel relieved when I share my condition, I feel a load off of my shoulders.  I can also tell a great deal about a person and/or how they feel about me by their reaction.  Having a chronic illness is a sort of blessing when it comes to relationships, because you really find out who really loves and will do anything for you right from the start.


With Love,

November Awareness

❋ American Diabetes Month
❋ COPD Awareness Month
❋ Lung Cancer Awareness Month
❋ National Family Caregivers Month
❋ National Healthy Skin Month
❋ Diabetic Eye Disease Month
❋ National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
❋ Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
❋ Prematurity Awareness Month
❋ Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month

QUICK FACT 16

Successful treatment of lupus often requires a combination of medications. Nearly two dozen clinical studies are underway to develop new safe, more tolerable and effective treatments for lupus. 

October Awareness

This month is:
❦ National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
❦ National Disability Employment Awareness Month
❦ National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
❦ National Dental Hygiene Awareness Month
❦ National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
❦ National Physical Therapy Month
❦ Talk About Prescriptions Month
❦ Respiratory Care Week (24-30)
❦ National Osteoporosis Day (20)
❦ National Mammography Day (22)
❦ Lung Health Day (27)

QUICK FACT 15

Systemic lupus is the most common type of lupus. Systemic lupus can affect any organ system of the body, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, blood, joints, and skin.

Common Medications Used to Treat Lupus

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), may be used to treat a variety of signs and symptoms associated with lupus. NSAIDs are available over-the-counter, or stronger versions can be prescribed by your doctor. Check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter NSAIDs because some have been associated with serious side effects in people with lupus. Side effects of NSAIDs include stomach bleeding, kidney problems and an increased risk of heart problems.
• Antimalarial drugs. Although there's no known relationship between lupus and malaria, these medications have proved useful in treating signs and symptoms of lupus. Antimalarials may also prevent flares of the disease. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is the most commonly prescribed antimalarial. Side effects of antimalarial drugs include vision problems and muscle weakness.
• Corticosteroids. These drugs counter the inflammation of lupus, but can have serious long-term side effects, including weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones (osteoporosis), high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses and longer term therapy. To help reduce these risks, your doctor will try to find the lowest dose that controls your symptoms and prescribe corticosteroids for the shortest possible time. Taking the drug every other day also can help reduce side effects. Corticosteroids are sometimes combined with another medication to help reduce the dose, and therefore the toxicity, of both drugs. Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements while using corticosteroids can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Retrieved from Mayoclinic.com

September Awareness

This month is:
❂ Childhood Cancer Month
❂ Fruits and Veggies - More Matters Month
❂ Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
❂ National Sickle Cell Month
❂ National Infant Mortality Awareness Month
❂ National Cholesterol Education Month
❂ National Yoga Awareness Month
❂ National Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
❂ Reye's Syndrome Awareness Month
❂ National Rehabilitation Awareness Week (19-25)
❂ World Alzheimer's Day (21)
❂ Family Health and Fitness Day USA (25)
❂ National Women's Health and Fitness Day (29)
❂ World Heart Day (30)


Stay aware of what is going on and educate yourself!!  

Triggers For Lupus Flare

Things that can trigger a lupus flare

• Working too hard and not getting enough sleep.
• Being stressed.
• Being out in the sunlight, or exposure to certain halogen or fluorescent light bulbs.
• Having an infection or injury.
• Not taking your lupus medication.
• Taking certain medicines.

Biomarkers may predict, and corticosteroids prevent, severe lupus flares.(LUPUS NEWS)(Clinical report): An article from: Dermatology Nursing

Selena trial: hormone therapy tied to mild lupus flares.(Clinical Rounds): An article from: Internal Medicine News

Blood test soon may help diagnose, monitor systemic lupus erythematosus. (May Detect Flares Early).: An article from: Family Practice News

Novel immunomodulator cuts lupus-related renal flares.(Rx): An article from: Internal Medicine News

QUICK FACT 14

♔ Only ten percent of people with lupus will have a close relative who already has lupus or may develop lupus. Some people with lupus also will have a relative who has lupus or another autoimmune disease.

July & August Awareness

July is:
回 Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
回 UV Safety Month
回 Cord Blood Awareness Month
回 International Group B Strep Awareness Month


August is:
☄ Cataract Awareness Month
☄ Children's Eye Health and Safety Month
☄ National Immunization Awareness Month
☄ Psoriasis Awareness Month
☄ Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

Travel and Illness

     I love to travel. As I mentioned before, I spent 5 months in Paris and traveled to six other European countries while there.  These countries were Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, The UK and Germany.  I have also visited Canada and Mexico, as well as many states in the United States.  I love to venture to new places to do and see as much as I can. 
     Having Lupus can put somewhat of a strain on our enjoyment and ability to travel.  Lucky for us there are ways to prevent and minimize difficulties while travelling, as well as alternatives to traditional vacationing.  Airports can be very overwhelming for someone who has physical limitations and/or illness. There are several services that airports offer in which you can take advantage.  These include wheelchairs, attendants to carry luggage, motorized transporters and so on.  Do not hesitate to ask for help if you are in pain or just not feeling well.  There are also options to print your boarding pass and check-in online ahead of time in order to avoid long lines. Also, if you plan ahead, you can request a seat that has extra leg room.  If you need assistance in the airport, ask, do not feel ashamed.  
     When travelling it is very important to take some precautions.  Make sure you have your medication.  Be sure to keep your pills in their original bottles when travelling.  Also, be sure to take a prescription order or more than enough to last through the entire trip.  Be sure to keep a couple of days worth of medication on your person, because luggage can get lost.  Besides having your medication, you should also plan accordingly.  Do not overextend yourself.  Plan rest and adequate sleep into your days.  Scheduling too many things in one day is a sure way to wear yourself down or even worst.  Be sure to stretch and keep the circulation going when travelling far distances.  Most importantly, if you begin to feel tired, pain or illness rest or seek medical attention.  Pay attention to your body and give it what it needs.  

     If taking a long plane or car ride, or a 6 day vacation seems to be to much for you there are alternatives.  You can take a cruise, which allows you to rest when necessary and their is access to everything you need 24/7, even medical assistance.  You could also take a short car ride or a day trip to a near by location.  There are many things that you can do to get away from the norm without putting yourself at risk for flare up.  Even though travelling is great, feeling well is even better.  Plan ahead and ask for help if needed.  And remember to send me pictures when you get back!! :0)


With Love,