Lupus Flares: How to Identify and Manage Them
Key Takeaways:
Flares are when symptoms of chronic conditions like lupus spike or worsen from triggers.
Lupus flares can lead to pain and discomfort lasting a few hours to several weeks.
Common lupus triggers include stress, UV rays, injuries, pregnancy, infections, and medications.
Common symptoms of lupus flares include muscle and joint pain, fatigue, headaches, and more.
To manage flares, rest, exercise, take medications, try heat and cold therapy, and adopt a healthy diet.
Flares, or flare-ups, are a common symptom of many chronic illnesses. Flares cause symptoms of chronic disease to spike, leading to pain or discomfort for a few hours, up to several weeks. The severity and occurrence of flares vary with each individual, but not only cause pain but can affect the quality of life.
Lupus is a chronic condition affecting several body parts, like the skin, lungs, joints, heart, and brain. Lupus symptoms can vary, and people with lupus often experience periods of flare-ups and remission.
People living with lupus can face flares when their symptoms become more active. The triggers for lupus flares can range from person to person, and identifying these triggers can help manage the flares.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these are some of the most common triggers for lupus flares:
Stress
Heightened stress levels from overworking yourself, anxiety surrounding your chronic condition, financial challenges, or other factors can trigger lupus flares or worsen your symptoms. Figure out what’s causing stress, and practice relaxation techniques. Some examples of relaxation techniques or stress management include mindfulness practices (e.g., deep breathing, yoga, and meditation), exercise, and support from loved ones.
UV rays
As reported by the Lupus Foundation, 40% to 70% of people with lupus say that their chronic condition worsens from ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight or artificial light. The effects of UV rays may not become clear until a few days or weeks after exposure.
You’ll likely need to go outside for work, school, groceries, doctor appointments, etc., so UV exposure is unavoidable. To prevent lupus flares from UV rays, limit time in direct sunlight, use sunscreen with a high SPF, and wear protective clothing.
Injury
Physical trauma from surgery, accidents, or other events may trigger your lupus flares. Traumatic injuries can cause tissue damage that can lead to an inflammatory response that can trigger lupus symptoms. Unfortunately, some injuries can be avoidable, so try to seek help after a traumatic event and monitor your lupus in case a flare occurs.
Pregnancy
Throughout pregnancy or after childbirth, lupus flares may occur. In fact, pregnancy lupus flares commonly happen during the first or second trimester. Most pregnancy lupus flares are mild, though others may need medicine or lead to an early delivery. Expecting mothers should notify their healthcare provider if they have a lupus flare.
Infections
Getting an infection can trigger lupus flares. People with lupus, or any chronic condition, are more susceptible to infections because they have a weaker immune system. According to BetterHealth Channel, the most common infections for lupus include those that affect the respiratory tract, urinary system, and skin. In addition, getting treated for infections may take longer for people with lupus than others without the chronic disease.
To prevent infections as a lupus warrior:
Wash your hands often.
Immediately wash and bandage all open wounds.
Don’t share eating utensils or drinking cups with others.
Wear an N95 mask when in large crowds of medical facilities.
Carry hand sanitizer
Medications
There are some medications that can cause drug-induced lupus and lupus flares.
These medications include:
Anti-seizure medicines
Capoten
Chlorpromazine
Hydralazine
Isoniazid
Levamisole
Minocycline
Procainamide
Sulfasalazine
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitors
Also, some cancer treatment drugs may trigger an autoimmune response, such as lupus flares.
Whenever you visit a healthcare provider, discuss any recent medications to prevent lupus flares.
What are the symptoms of lupus flares?
The symptoms of lupus flares can vary based on the individual and the parts of the body that are affected.
With this in mind, here are some of the common symptoms of lupus flares:
Mild to severe fatigue
Joint and muscle pain
Skin problems, such as rashes, sores, or flaky, red spots on the skin
Light sensitivity
Fever
Swollen glands
Headaches
Inflammation in the blood vessels
How can you tell if a lupus flare is coming?
Most lupus flares give you warning signs that they’re about to happen. As mentioned, there are common symptoms of lupus flares you can identify, as well as the factors that can trigger flares. By understanding the warning signs, you can lessen the severity of lupus flares and get immediate treatment if necessary.
There’s no way to determine whether a lupus flare will be mild or severe. For example, mild or moderate flares may only lead to rashes or joint or muscle pain. But, severe lupus flares might cause organ damage, such as kidney disease or fluid buildup in the heart.
Tips for managing lupus flares
After discussing what lupus flares are, how to identify them, and prevention, here’s how to manage them.
Rest: Listen to your body and take rest breaks when necessary.
Medications: Take medications recommended by your healthcare provider to treat lupus flare symptoms. Potential medications for lupus flares are pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Heat and cold therapy: Use heat and cold therapy to relieve muscle and joint pain and swelling during a lupus flare. You can use a heating pad or warm compresses for pain and cold packs or ice for swelling.
Exercise: Try low-intensity exercises, like walking or swimming, to improve joint mobility and reduce stress.
Diet: Adopt a healthy, balanced diet to manage your lupus symptoms. Your lupus diet can include foods rich in antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and chia seeds.
Living with a chronic condition like lupus can require preparing for flares. While it can be challenging to manage lupus, there are methods to lessen the chances and severity of lupus flares. If you ever experience a lupus flare, speak with your healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.
How Chronius Can Help
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