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Flare Ups & Lupus Triggers
In the simplest of terms, a lupus flare is when a person's lupus has been quiet or in remission, and then it becomes active again, either with new symptoms or a recurrence of old ones.
So what triggers an attack of lupus in someone? Scientists have noted some common features in many lupus patients. In some, exposure to the sun causes the sudden development of a rash, and then possibly other symptoms. In others, an infection ... perhaps a cold or a more serious infection ... does not get better, and then complications arise. These complications may be the first signs of lupus.
In still other cases, a drug taken for some illness produces the signaling symptoms. In some women, the first symptoms and signs develop during pregnancy. In others, they appear soon after delivery. Many people cannot remember or identify any specific factor. Obviously, many seemingly unrelated factors can trigger the onset of the disease.
Keeping A Flare At Bay
Doctors have identified healthy habits that can help you avoid triggering a lupus flare.
Always take your medication as prescribed.
Keep your doctor's appointments, even if you're feeling well.
Avoid taking sulfa drugs (sulfonomides) that are used to treat infections such as bronchitis and urinary tract infections.
Limit your exposure to sunlight; apply sunscreen before going outside during the day, and wear sun-protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
Reduce your risk of infections.
Get plenty of rest.
Do not smoke.
So what triggers an attack of lupus in someone? Scientists have noted some common features in many lupus patients. In some, exposure to the sun causes the sudden development of a rash, and then possibly other symptoms. In others, an infection ... perhaps a cold or a more serious infection ... does not get better, and then complications arise. These complications may be the first signs of lupus.
In still other cases, a drug taken for some illness produces the signaling symptoms. In some women, the first symptoms and signs develop during pregnancy. In others, they appear soon after delivery. Many people cannot remember or identify any specific factor. Obviously, many seemingly unrelated factors can trigger the onset of the disease.
Keeping A Flare At Bay
Doctors have identified healthy habits that can help you avoid triggering a lupus flare.
Always take your medication as prescribed.
Keep your doctor's appointments, even if you're feeling well.
Avoid taking sulfa drugs (sulfonomides) that are used to treat infections such as bronchitis and urinary tract infections.
Limit your exposure to sunlight; apply sunscreen before going outside during the day, and wear sun-protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
Reduce your risk of infections.
Get plenty of rest.
Do not smoke.
Hello
Hi Sweet People, I can't believe time rushes by so fast.
I have things to do today (a must) but I can't get started until I get on my computer. I didn't know this group
covered Lupus and other health issues. The rash is almost gone after 3 months almost and for 2 years I have had a thickness of skin on my right leg, side of the leg.
I keep my symptoms and and pain, blood pressure and more
in a note book, which also has my medicines and other illness I have like autoimmune thyroid disease.
I haven't got to read all the info. that your putting out
there Janet, but your doing a great job.
I will get online tomorrow and try to catch up, my day makes me tired already.
Hugs and Love to Everyone,
Angel
I have things to do today (a must) but I can't get started until I get on my computer. I didn't know this group
covered Lupus and other health issues. The rash is almost gone after 3 months almost and for 2 years I have had a thickness of skin on my right leg, side of the leg.
I keep my symptoms and and pain, blood pressure and more
in a note book, which also has my medicines and other illness I have like autoimmune thyroid disease.
I haven't got to read all the info. that your putting out
there Janet, but your doing a great job.
I will get online tomorrow and try to catch up, my day makes me tired already.
Hugs and Love to Everyone,
Angel
Splenda: How do you feel about it?
Can Splenda Kill??
Its official: Splenda has replaced aspartame as the most used artificial sweetener in foods and beverages. More and more artificial sweeteners are being used today as consumers want products that taste good but don’t pack the calories that are associated with sugar. Aspartame, which used to be used in most artificially sweetened items, was basically forced out of popularity and products because the public became aware of the fact that it can be the cause of many chronic illnesses. James Bowen, a physician, biochemist and survivor of aspartame poisoning is doing his best to warn about Splenda and its implications on those who consume it.
One Doctor’s Take: Splenda Is Bad for Us from the Inside Out
Dr. Bowen says of Splenda, “Splenda/sucralose is simply chlorinated sugar; a chlorocarbon. Common chlorocarbons include carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethelene and methylene chloride, all deadly. Chlorine is nature’s Doberman attack dog, a highly excitable, ferocious atomic element employed as a biocide in bleach, disinfectants, insecticide, WWI poison gas and hydrochloric acid.” This seems a bit extreme, but when you step back and think about it, you do have to wonder what this product does when we ingest it continually. In fact, many of us are ingesting several items every day that have Splenda in it.
Dr. Bowen has made a lot of people scratch their head and think about exactly why they are ingesting Splenda and exactly what it is doing to our bodies. The doctor points out that chlorocarbons, which is what Splenda is, is not nutritionally compatible with the metabolic processes that are ongoing in our bodies. Using very scientific means of researching, the doctor has come to find and believes wholeheartedly that the arrangements of the atoms in Splenda adversely affects human metabolism.
Dr. James Bowen believes that the chlorocarbons cannot be excreted from our bodies and that will continue to cause damage to our metabolism and eventually if we keep ingesting it, to our internal organs. Bowen believes that the liver is not able to detoxify our body of Splenda because the chlorocarbons in Splenda damage the hepatocytes, which are the liver’s metabolic cells.
Dr. Bowen hasn’t come with up with these beliefs without data to back it up. In fact, there have been test animals that have ingested Splenda and all of them had swollen livers and calcified kidneys. As if these findings weren’t overwhelming enough, it is known that the brain and nervous system are susceptible to metabolic toxicities and can be damaged by the chemicals that are Splenda. It is thought that something as seemingly simple and harmless and Splenda could cause a breakdown in the nervous system, affecting genetics and even immune function. It is also thought that because of the breakdown that chlorocarbon poisoning can cause cancer, birth defects, and total immune system destruction.
Dr. James Bowen says, “We should not be fooled again into accepting the safety of a toxic chemical on the blessing of the FDA and saturation advertising. In terms of potential long term human toxicity we should regard sucralose with its chemical cousin DDT, the insecticide now outlawed because of its horrendous long term toxicities at even minute trace levels in human, avian, and mammalian tissues.”
In short, Splenda is something that we all need to think about before we ingest it. It’s regarded as an artificial sweetener. In most instances, artificial is not a term that has a positive connotation. Why should it be any different with the things that we ingest? We don’t want to think that there are things out there that are FDA approved that aren’t safe, but when you think about aspartame you have to know that there are things out there that just aren’t good for us. We have to be discerning consumers and think about our health long term.
I use Splenda alot , what about you? What is your idea about all of this?
Its official: Splenda has replaced aspartame as the most used artificial sweetener in foods and beverages. More and more artificial sweeteners are being used today as consumers want products that taste good but don’t pack the calories that are associated with sugar. Aspartame, which used to be used in most artificially sweetened items, was basically forced out of popularity and products because the public became aware of the fact that it can be the cause of many chronic illnesses. James Bowen, a physician, biochemist and survivor of aspartame poisoning is doing his best to warn about Splenda and its implications on those who consume it.
One Doctor’s Take: Splenda Is Bad for Us from the Inside Out
Dr. Bowen says of Splenda, “Splenda/sucralose is simply chlorinated sugar; a chlorocarbon. Common chlorocarbons include carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethelene and methylene chloride, all deadly. Chlorine is nature’s Doberman attack dog, a highly excitable, ferocious atomic element employed as a biocide in bleach, disinfectants, insecticide, WWI poison gas and hydrochloric acid.” This seems a bit extreme, but when you step back and think about it, you do have to wonder what this product does when we ingest it continually. In fact, many of us are ingesting several items every day that have Splenda in it.
Dr. Bowen has made a lot of people scratch their head and think about exactly why they are ingesting Splenda and exactly what it is doing to our bodies. The doctor points out that chlorocarbons, which is what Splenda is, is not nutritionally compatible with the metabolic processes that are ongoing in our bodies. Using very scientific means of researching, the doctor has come to find and believes wholeheartedly that the arrangements of the atoms in Splenda adversely affects human metabolism.
Dr. James Bowen believes that the chlorocarbons cannot be excreted from our bodies and that will continue to cause damage to our metabolism and eventually if we keep ingesting it, to our internal organs. Bowen believes that the liver is not able to detoxify our body of Splenda because the chlorocarbons in Splenda damage the hepatocytes, which are the liver’s metabolic cells.
Dr. Bowen hasn’t come with up with these beliefs without data to back it up. In fact, there have been test animals that have ingested Splenda and all of them had swollen livers and calcified kidneys. As if these findings weren’t overwhelming enough, it is known that the brain and nervous system are susceptible to metabolic toxicities and can be damaged by the chemicals that are Splenda. It is thought that something as seemingly simple and harmless and Splenda could cause a breakdown in the nervous system, affecting genetics and even immune function. It is also thought that because of the breakdown that chlorocarbon poisoning can cause cancer, birth defects, and total immune system destruction.
Dr. James Bowen says, “We should not be fooled again into accepting the safety of a toxic chemical on the blessing of the FDA and saturation advertising. In terms of potential long term human toxicity we should regard sucralose with its chemical cousin DDT, the insecticide now outlawed because of its horrendous long term toxicities at even minute trace levels in human, avian, and mammalian tissues.”
In short, Splenda is something that we all need to think about before we ingest it. It’s regarded as an artificial sweetener. In most instances, artificial is not a term that has a positive connotation. Why should it be any different with the things that we ingest? We don’t want to think that there are things out there that are FDA approved that aren’t safe, but when you think about aspartame you have to know that there are things out there that just aren’t good for us. We have to be discerning consumers and think about our health long term.
I use Splenda alot , what about you? What is your idea about all of this?
Have a Great Day Everyone!
Hi everyone, hope you all are having a good day. I am trying to, but the weather is bringing my pain level up, and my dizzy spells are back. The plate and screws in my neck are killing me. So, I guess you could say I am a dizzy blonde with a few screws loose today.
On a more serious note, many of us often feel guilty when we are having a bad day. We seem to think that our families, friends, etc. can't live without us taking care of them. Guess what? They will survive if you need to take a few days off from being everything they expect you to be. They will learn to fend for themselves for a few days. Part of the key to learning to deal with pain is learning to accept yourself for what you are--a person who has chronic pain. There is no shame in saying "I hurt today, you will just have to do it yourself." At first it is difficult to learn to say this, but with time you will be able to simply say it without excuses or explanations. Taking care of yourself is one of the topmost important parts of managing your pain. Indulge yourself without guilt, do whatever you have to do to feel better. When you feel better, everyone around you feels better, so you are not just benefitting yourself, you are making it better for all that care about you.
Eat that hot fudge sundae, buy yourself something silly, take a walk, climb into bed and stay there all day, do whatever it takes and you will feel better for it. So, the next time Old Mr. Pain creeps up on you, shove him away by doing something for yourself. Remember, if you don't take care of yourself, who will? Hugs and blessings, Lori
Human Body Facts
I received this in a email today from my stepdaughter, found it interesting and thought I would share.
Subject: Human Body Facts
The human body is a machine that is full of wonder. This collection of human body facts will leave you wondering why in the heck we were designed the way we were.
1.. Scientists say the higher your I.Q. The more you dream.
2.. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg.
3.. The smallest is the male sperm.
4.. You use 200 muscles to take one step.
5.. The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
6.. Your big toes have two bones each while the rest have three.
7.. A pair of human feet contain 250,000 sweat glands.
8.. A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball.
9.. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.
10.. The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica.
11.. It takes the food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.
12.. The average human dream lasts 2-3 seconds.
13.. Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.
14.. At the moment of conception, you spent about half an hour as a single cell.
15.. There is about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.
16.. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.
17.. The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.
18.. Your teeth start developing (in your gums) 6 months before you are born.
19.. When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, they do the same when you are looking at someone you hate.
20.. Blondes have more hair than dark-haired people.
21.. Your thumb is the same length as your nose.
22..At this very moment I know full well you are putting this last fact to the test ... now remove your thumb from your nose
Subject: Human Body Facts
The human body is a machine that is full of wonder. This collection of human body facts will leave you wondering why in the heck we were designed the way we were.
1.. Scientists say the higher your I.Q. The more you dream.
2.. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg.
3.. The smallest is the male sperm.
4.. You use 200 muscles to take one step.
5.. The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
6.. Your big toes have two bones each while the rest have three.
7.. A pair of human feet contain 250,000 sweat glands.
8.. A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball.
9.. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.
10.. The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica.
11.. It takes the food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.
12.. The average human dream lasts 2-3 seconds.
13.. Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.
14.. At the moment of conception, you spent about half an hour as a single cell.
15.. There is about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.
16.. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.
17.. The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.
18.. Your teeth start developing (in your gums) 6 months before you are born.
19.. When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, they do the same when you are looking at someone you hate.
20.. Blondes have more hair than dark-haired people.
21.. Your thumb is the same length as your nose.
22..At this very moment I know full well you are putting this last fact to the test ... now remove your thumb from your nose
Lyrica (?) & Trazadone
I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping in the past 3 months. The doctor is changing my medication.
She is prescribing Trazadone for sleep? I had it many years ago and it didn't do much. She said it's worth a try again because I'm on different drugs, etc. What kind of luck has anyone else had with Trazadone. Did it help you to sleep. I sure hope it works. I just hope I don't become like a zombie. I like to be able to function somewhat in the daytime. Any opinions?
The other one she going to give me is Lyrica for the pain from the Fibromyalgia, arthritis, IC. I was just wondering how many of you have tried it and whether you experienced some relief and to what degree. What side-effects were the most bothersome? The pharmacist seemed quite concerned that the two together might make me overly sedated, and very dizzy. He felt someone from my family should be around to help me. Yeah, right! I told him my friends would keep on eye on me.
If I'm still not sleeping with this combination within a 1/2 hour, she said to take one imovane.
What do you think people? Is it overkill or okay or what's your opinion.
Myteqn
She is prescribing Trazadone for sleep? I had it many years ago and it didn't do much. She said it's worth a try again because I'm on different drugs, etc. What kind of luck has anyone else had with Trazadone. Did it help you to sleep. I sure hope it works. I just hope I don't become like a zombie. I like to be able to function somewhat in the daytime. Any opinions?
The other one she going to give me is Lyrica for the pain from the Fibromyalgia, arthritis, IC. I was just wondering how many of you have tried it and whether you experienced some relief and to what degree. What side-effects were the most bothersome? The pharmacist seemed quite concerned that the two together might make me overly sedated, and very dizzy. He felt someone from my family should be around to help me. Yeah, right! I told him my friends would keep on eye on me.
If I'm still not sleeping with this combination within a 1/2 hour, she said to take one imovane.
What do you think people? Is it overkill or okay or what's your opinion.
Myteqn
Edema
Edema is swelling of both legs from a buildup of extra fluid. Edema has many possible causes:
Prolonged standing or sitting, especially in hot weather, can cause excess fluid to accumulate in the feet, ankles and lower legs.
Tiny valves inside the veins of the legs can become weakened, causing a common problem called venous insufficiency. This problem makes it more difficult for the veins to pump blood back to the heart, and leads to varicose veins and buildup of fluid.
Severe chronic (long-term) lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, increase pressure in the blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs. This pressure backs up in the heart. The higher pressure causes swelling in the legs and feet.
Congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart can no longer pump efficiently, causes fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body. Swelling is often most visible in the feet and ankles.
Pregnancy can cause edema in the legs as the uterus puts pressure on the vena cava, a major blood vessel that returns blood to the heart from the legs. Fluid retention during pregnancy also can be caused by a more serious condition called preeclampsia.
Low protein levels in the blood caused by malnutrition, kidney and liver disease can cause edema. The proteins help to hold salt and water inside the blood vessels so fluid does not leak out into the tissues. If a blood protein called albumin gets too low, fluid is retained and edema occurs, especially in the feet, ankles and lower legs.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary according to the type of edema and its location. In general, the skin above the swollen area will be stretched and shiny.
Prolonged standing or sitting, especially in hot weather, can cause excess fluid to accumulate in the feet, ankles and lower legs.
Tiny valves inside the veins of the legs can become weakened, causing a common problem called venous insufficiency. This problem makes it more difficult for the veins to pump blood back to the heart, and leads to varicose veins and buildup of fluid.
Severe chronic (long-term) lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, increase pressure in the blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs. This pressure backs up in the heart. The higher pressure causes swelling in the legs and feet.
Congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart can no longer pump efficiently, causes fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body. Swelling is often most visible in the feet and ankles.
Pregnancy can cause edema in the legs as the uterus puts pressure on the vena cava, a major blood vessel that returns blood to the heart from the legs. Fluid retention during pregnancy also can be caused by a more serious condition called preeclampsia.
Low protein levels in the blood caused by malnutrition, kidney and liver disease can cause edema. The proteins help to hold salt and water inside the blood vessels so fluid does not leak out into the tissues. If a blood protein called albumin gets too low, fluid is retained and edema occurs, especially in the feet, ankles and lower legs.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary according to the type of edema and its location. In general, the skin above the swollen area will be stretched and shiny.
