Thursday, October 28, 2010

Sleep Easy When You Have Lupus

Lupus also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects the skin, joints, kidneys and other organs. An autoimmune disorder means that the body has a problem with its normal immune system. A healthy immune system protects the body from harmful substances, but patients with lupus find that their immune system can’t tell what is harmful from what is a healthy substance. The outcome is an overactive immune response that attacks even healthy tissues and cells. The result leads to chronic inflammation. Researchers state that lupus occurs after an infection from an organism resembles certain proteins in the body and the immune system attacks the look-alike healthy proteins. Lupus can be mild to severe and even cause death.

[caption id="attachment_506" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Sleep Easy When You Have Lupus - An Autoimmune Disease"][/caption]

Women are affected by lupus 9 to 1 and this disorder most often appears between the ages of 10 and 50. African Americans and Asians are affected more than people of other races. Symptoms of lupus can include extreme exhaustion, rash, sun sensitivity and joint pain. In fact some believe that lupus flares up can come about due sleep deprivation. People suffering from lupus exhaustion find it hard to get out of bed, are restless during the day and are unable to do what they would do normally, such as going to the grocery store, cooking dinner or attending their children’s after school activities. Lupus exhaustion is sporadic as they may feel great one day but unable to get out of bed the next. Early lupus sufferers feel they need to sleep at least 10 hours a day.

How can you sleep easy when you have lupus? In the 1950’s people thought that sleep was nothing more than a passive, inactive part of life. Now we know we need sleep to repair and restore our body as it will affect our daily functioning and physical and mental health. 70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep disorders. And the reason women suffer from lupus more than men is that women suffer from lack of sleep more and their sleep problems increase as they age. People that don’t get enough sleep are two to three times more likely to have poor health verses people who live a healthy lifestyle and get enough sleep. Add lupus to an unhealthy lifestyle and the importance of a good night’s sleep takes on an even more essential role. Not being able to fall a sleep easy and get at least 7 to 8 hours a night can be harmful to the immune system. The neurons in the brain that control sleep interact with the immune system. As you know when you have the flu you feel sleepy, this happens because cytokines chemicals that are fighting the infection are also powerful sleep-inducing chemicals. Sleep conserves energy so the immune system can fight the infection. If you are in pain from a chronic illness many times you take a prescription drug that can disrupt your sleep. If this is the case you should talk to your doctor about changing your medication.

How much sleep do you really need? This all depends on many factors, including age. Teenagers need at least 8 hours of sleep while most adults do well with seven hours. In order to keep your lupus from flaring up you need to take control of your sleep habits, stick to a routine (this means go to bed and get up at the same time every day even on the weekends), don’t think you can make up for lost sleep and don’t overdo it. Exercise improves your ability to sleep but make sure you exercise early enough to calm your body down before bed.

Many doctors recommend acupuncture as a way to relax and preferred as an alternative treatment to prescription drugs or over-the-counter sleep aides as they have side effects and are addictive. Who wants to go through drug withdrawals with another health issue? Some lupus patients take prednisone; try taking this medication in the morning instead of later in the day when it can interrupt your sleep. Look forward to going to bed by making your bedroom cozy, cool and free from distractions, including the family pet. Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol before bed as these drinks will either keep you from falling asleep or rob you of deep sleep.

Calming your mind and body at least an hour before bed will help you to fall asleep, try reading, taking a warm bath with sleep-inducing bath oils like lavender or chamomile or writing in your journal. If you can’t fall asleep, get up a do something for about 20 minutes and then try to go back to bed. If you feel your sleep deprivation is chronic insomnia or causing your lupus to flare up over and over again see your physician as he may recommend a sleep specialist so you can receive the proper treatment and finally get the sleep you deserve.

Do you have lupus? Here are a few of the more common symptoms:

[caption id="attachment_507" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Sleep Easy When You Have Lupus - Lupus Rash"][/caption]

Malar Rash. This is a red rash that appears over the bridge of the nose and across both cheeks. Some people get a different rash; it is round scaly spots that may show up on any part of the body exposed to the sun, though it also is most common on the face. If it isn't treated, it may leave white spots or scars. This is a different disease, called discoid lupus.

Sun Sensitivity. You may notice your rash for the first time after you've been in the sun. You think you may have a sun burn, except it is differen, instead of pealing or turning into a tan, it remains red and may have raised patches and your joints began to ache. UVA and UVB rays, even those reflected off sidewalks or the snow can be harmful. If you are not sensitive to the sun beware as the sun’s rays are stimulating the production of auto-antibodies which activate your lupus. Wear long-sleeved shirts, hats and gloves especially during 11am and 3pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

Pain. Lupus pain may be very mild or severe. Joint pain can be sharp, steady or a burning sensation and affects the joints in the hands and fingers more often.

Exhaustion. Exhaustion, like the pain and the rash, comes and goes, and almost always is worse during the early stages of your illness.

The content provided in Sleep Easy When You Have Lupus is for information purposes only, intended to raise the awareness of different solutions for your sleep problems and should not be considered medical advice. For medical diagnosis and treatment, please see your qualified health-care professional.
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3 comments:

  1. THE 5TH OF JANUARY I'M GOING TO BE TESTED FOR LUPUS, BACAUSE IT SHOWED UP IN MY BLOOD WORK. I DO STAY TIRED AND SLEEPY. I HAVE ARTHRITIS WHICH IT CAN COME FROM LUPUS. I WOULD LIKE SOME INFORMATION ON THIS. THANK YOU. ANYTHING THAT IS HELPFUL

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  2. I CURRENTLY AM TAKING PREDNISONE ALONG WITH PLAQUENEL FOR SLE LUPUS AS WELL AS SLEEPING PILLS ,CLONAZEPAM AND DESIPRAMINE FOR SLEEP AND STILL WAKE UP WITH STOMACH TROUBLES VERY EARLY OR MIDDLE OF NIGHT. ANT SUGGESTIONS?

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