Many people with chronic illnesses -- like lupus -- are finding that meditation helps them cope better. Meditation is easy to learn -- and most anyone can do it. But some experts suggest that first-timers work with an instructor.
If you prefer to go it alone, here are some tips that may help.
RSVP for enlightenment. Reserve a good time to meditate, so you won't be worrying about other appointments and obligations. Find a quiet space where you can be alone. And sit however you feel most comfortable: cross-legged, on a chair, or on a cushion.
Take baby steps. Begin by focusing on your breathing. Concentrate on inhaling, filling your nose and belly. Then exhale, and feel your body relax. Start with three minutes of breathing each day for one week. Increase to at least 10 minutes a day.
Let distractions happen. It's normal for your mind to wander. If you lose your concentration, don't judge yourself. Just take note of the distraction, and return to your rhythmic breathing. If you get frustrated with frequent distractions, consider meditating with an audiotape or DVD. "Mindfulness Meditation" by Jon Kabat-Zinn comes highly recommended. You can also search the Web to find information on various methods of meditation.
Be consistent. Try to practice at the same time every day, and don't give up after a couple of tries. Consistency is an important part of discipline.
Taken from the Spring 2004 issue of Lupus Now magazine. Written by Emily Wojcik.
March 31, 2008
March 28, 2008
Spring Into Organization
Spring's rebirth of buds and leaves makes it a great time to get organized and breathe new life into our inner spaces. Taking on just a few tasks, such as getting rid of paper piles, organizing incoming mail, and bringing order to a closet, can lead to a more relaxing and stress-free spring.
With a chronic illness like lupus -- that can leave one achy and fatigued -- the idea of tackling home organization may seem quite challenging.
But professionals emphasize that organizing can be made easy by breaking down to-dos into short time installments and performing them during the time of day that you have the most energy.
Tips for Spring Tidying
* taken from the Spring 2007 issue of Lupus Now magazine. Written by Michelle Rogers Ponte.
With a chronic illness like lupus -- that can leave one achy and fatigued -- the idea of tackling home organization may seem quite challenging.
But professionals emphasize that organizing can be made easy by breaking down to-dos into short time installments and performing them during the time of day that you have the most energy.
Tips for Spring Tidying
- Break tasks into five- to 15-minute time segments
- Place cleaning items in every bathroom in your house
- Buy two vacuums if your house has a second story
- Have a running to-do list that gets re-prioritized daily
- Keep a calendar and bills in a central location
- Designate one place for keys, mail and cell phones
- Remove newspapers from your house within a week
- Keep two bright-colored file folders for important items on your desk and remove all unnecessary paper from the area
- Reduce confusion by keeping just one calendar
- Store files in open crates that are on wheels
- Get rid of sticky notes and keep a single notebook
- Replace hangers with hooks for quick clothes organization
* taken from the Spring 2007 issue of Lupus Now magazine. Written by Michelle Rogers Ponte.
March 26, 2008
Lupus Foundation of America Announces 2008 Research Funding Opportunities
Happy Wednesday everyone.
Hope this finds you well. All is plugging along here in the metro DC area. The only downside right now ... allergy season. Most people I know, myself included, are suffering with some major allergies. I think a lot of it has to do with the budding cherry blossoms. They're beautiful, but man if you have allergies, look out.
And now to lupus news.
The LFA has just released a number of requests for applications for a variety of research opportunities for 2008. I wanted to share those with you.
Until next time, Wick
2008 LFA Research Funding Opportunities
The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (LFA) is the foremost national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing services to people affected by lupus. Lupus is a complex disorder that continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Although basic science and therapeutic advances are being made, substantial work remains to fully understand the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis and clinical impact of these disorders. New diagnostic and prognostic tests, as well as directed therapeutic interventions, are still needed.
The LFA is pleased to offer the following grant opportunities for 2008.
Hope this finds you well. All is plugging along here in the metro DC area. The only downside right now ... allergy season. Most people I know, myself included, are suffering with some major allergies. I think a lot of it has to do with the budding cherry blossoms. They're beautiful, but man if you have allergies, look out.
And now to lupus news.
The LFA has just released a number of requests for applications for a variety of research opportunities for 2008. I wanted to share those with you.
Until next time, Wick
2008 LFA Research Funding Opportunities
The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (LFA) is the foremost national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing services to people affected by lupus. Lupus is a complex disorder that continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Although basic science and therapeutic advances are being made, substantial work remains to fully understand the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis and clinical impact of these disorders. New diagnostic and prognostic tests, as well as directed therapeutic interventions, are still needed.
The LFA is pleased to offer the following grant opportunities for 2008.
- Adult Stem Cell Lupus Research
- Michael Jon Barlin Pediatric Lupus Research
- Neuropsychiatric Lupus Research
- Novel Pilot Projects in Lupus Research
March 24, 2008
Lupus Blog Spotlight: Lupus Christian Support
Hey everyone ...
Getting a later start on my blog writing than I had anticipated. Weekend in Jersey was a good one. It was nice to have a change of scenery and see some family. Saw Enchanted, which is very cute. Got to eat at Friendly's, which is my favorite place to get ice cream. And I saw a bunch of wild turkeys roaming the streets of Jersey. Who knew?
Let's jump into some lupus news.
LFA Message Boards
As of this morning, there are more than 550 registered users for the LFA Message Boards. Get in on the action! Join the message boards here.
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Webchat
The April 2008 Webchat will take place on Wednesday, April 9 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Dr. Bevra Hahn will be guest hosting the chat: "Ask the Doc: An Open Forum." What that means is Dr. Hahn will be taking any and all questions about lupus, as long as they're not patient-specific. If you'd like to submit a question in advance, you can do so here.
You can read the March 2008 transcript about kidneys and lupus here.
Awards Gala
The LFA's Fifth Annual Awards Gala will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in downtown Washington DC. If you are interested in purchasing tickets or securing corporate sponsorship, please contact Paola Williams at williams@lupus.org.
Lupus Blog Spotlight
Finally, I would like to turn your attention to another lupus blog. It is called Lupus Christian Support.
The blogger is Given55. She is a Christian counselor and an ordained minister. She also has lupus. She created the blog to provide support for others who have also been diagnosed with lupus.
I know some of you already have ... but if you get a moment, swing by Lupus Christian Support and say hi to Given55.
Until next time, Wick
Getting a later start on my blog writing than I had anticipated. Weekend in Jersey was a good one. It was nice to have a change of scenery and see some family. Saw Enchanted, which is very cute. Got to eat at Friendly's, which is my favorite place to get ice cream. And I saw a bunch of wild turkeys roaming the streets of Jersey. Who knew?
Let's jump into some lupus news.
LFA Message Boards
As of this morning, there are more than 550 registered users for the LFA Message Boards. Get in on the action! Join the message boards here.
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Webchat
The April 2008 Webchat will take place on Wednesday, April 9 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Dr. Bevra Hahn will be guest hosting the chat: "Ask the Doc: An Open Forum." What that means is Dr. Hahn will be taking any and all questions about lupus, as long as they're not patient-specific. If you'd like to submit a question in advance, you can do so here.
You can read the March 2008 transcript about kidneys and lupus here.
Awards Gala
The LFA's Fifth Annual Awards Gala will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in downtown Washington DC. If you are interested in purchasing tickets or securing corporate sponsorship, please contact Paola Williams at williams@lupus.org.
Lupus Blog Spotlight
Finally, I would like to turn your attention to another lupus blog. It is called Lupus Christian Support.
The blogger is Given55. She is a Christian counselor and an ordained minister. She also has lupus. She created the blog to provide support for others who have also been diagnosed with lupus.
I know some of you already have ... but if you get a moment, swing by Lupus Christian Support and say hi to Given55.
Until next time, Wick
March 20, 2008
Let's Get Educated: The Lupus Foundation of America
Hey everyone ...
I'm writing another entry today as I will be out of the office tomorrow. I'm heading to New Jersey this evening to spend some time with family. Looking forward to that as I haven't seen them since Thanksgiving.
And now to lupus news.
Our April 9, 2008 Webchat will feature Dr. Bevra Hahn. The topic will be "Ask the Doc: An Open Forum." What does that mean exactly? It means you can ask Dr. Hahn anything about lupus, as long as it's not patient-specific. Read more about the chat, and Dr Hahn, here.
We are redesigning the look & feel of our enewsletters. Our hope is to have them debut in April. We're pretty excited about this. As always, you can sign up to receive the free LFA enewsletters here.
And finally, I wanted to share still another LFA public service announcement (PSA) with you. Like the Sarah Chalke ("Scrubs") one, this one is also brand-new and features Donald Faison, who plays Dr. Christopher Turk on TV's "Scrubs." You may be wondering what his connection to lupus is. Randall Winston, a producer for "Scrubs," has a sister with lupus.
This new PSA is called Let's Get Educated: The Lupus Foundation of America. Take a look.
If interested, you are more than welcome to embed this PSA on your blog.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time, Wick
I'm writing another entry today as I will be out of the office tomorrow. I'm heading to New Jersey this evening to spend some time with family. Looking forward to that as I haven't seen them since Thanksgiving.
And now to lupus news.
Our April 9, 2008 Webchat will feature Dr. Bevra Hahn. The topic will be "Ask the Doc: An Open Forum." What does that mean exactly? It means you can ask Dr. Hahn anything about lupus, as long as it's not patient-specific. Read more about the chat, and Dr Hahn, here.
We are redesigning the look & feel of our enewsletters. Our hope is to have them debut in April. We're pretty excited about this. As always, you can sign up to receive the free LFA enewsletters here.
And finally, I wanted to share still another LFA public service announcement (PSA) with you. Like the Sarah Chalke ("Scrubs") one, this one is also brand-new and features Donald Faison, who plays Dr. Christopher Turk on TV's "Scrubs." You may be wondering what his connection to lupus is. Randall Winston, a producer for "Scrubs," has a sister with lupus.
This new PSA is called Let's Get Educated: The Lupus Foundation of America. Take a look.
If interested, you are more than welcome to embed this PSA on your blog.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time, Wick
March 19, 2008
Walk for Lupus Now Events in April 2008
Morning everyone ... I think Spring is about to arrive. I believe it's going to the mid 60s today. As much as I love my seasons, I have to say ... I am ready for some warmer weather.
Lots to share with you today, so let me jump in.
Walk for Lupus Now
As I have mentioned previously, it's now Walk season here at the LFA. Monies raised from Walk for Lupus Now Walks will support lupus research, lupus education programs, and patient and family support services.
Here is a listing of upcoming Walks, taking place in April 2008.
LFA Research enewsletter
The LFA's research enewsletter went out Monday. If you'd like to take a look at it, we have archived a copy online. You can view it here.
If you'd like to sign up to receive the LFA's free enewsletters, you can sign up here.
LFA Message Boards
As of this morning, there are 510 registered users for the LFA Message Boards. Get in on the action! Join the message boards here.
Wishing you a great Wednesday.
Until next time, Wick
Lots to share with you today, so let me jump in.
Walk for Lupus Now
As I have mentioned previously, it's now Walk season here at the LFA. Monies raised from Walk for Lupus Now Walks will support lupus research, lupus education programs, and patient and family support services.Here is a listing of upcoming Walks, taking place in April 2008.
- Bergen County, NJ -- Sunday, April 6, 2008
- Wichita, KS -- Saturday, April 12, 2008
- Washington, DC -- Saturday, April 19, 2008
- Albuquerque, NM -- Saturday, April 19, 2008
- Atlanta, GA -- Saturday, April 26, 2008
- Las Vegas, NV -- Saturday, April 26, 2008
- Dallas, TX -- Saturday, April 26, 2008
LFA Research enewsletter
The LFA's research enewsletter went out Monday. If you'd like to take a look at it, we have archived a copy online. You can view it here.
If you'd like to sign up to receive the LFA's free enewsletters, you can sign up here.
LFA Message Boards
As of this morning, there are 510 registered users for the LFA Message Boards. Get in on the action! Join the message boards here.
Wishing you a great Wednesday.
Until next time, Wick
March 17, 2008
Lupus Advocates Urge Increased Funding for Lupus Research and Education at LFA's 10th Annual Advocacy Day
On Tuesday, March 11, more than 300 individuals with lupus, their families, and health professionals urged Members of Congress to increase government funding for lupus medical research and enact legislation that will greatly expand federal efforts on lupus. The advocates, representing 37 states, participated in the Tenth Annual Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) Advocacy Day.
Advocates urged lawmakers to increase funding for biomedical research supported by the National Institutes of Health and epidemiological research sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also urged Members of Congress to enact the Lupus REACH (Research, Education, Awareness, Communications and Healthcare) Amendments Act (H.R. 1192 and S. 1359).
United States Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Robert Bennett (R-UT), who introduced the Lupus REACH Amendments Act in the Senate, received the Distinguished Lupus Leadership Award for sponsoring the legislation which will further federal efforts to combat lupus, address gaps in research, and heighten awareness of lupus symptoms and health effects among the public and health professionals.
Advocates met with approximately 200 Senators, Representatives and congressional staff members to educate policy makers on lupus and its impact on individuals and families. The advocates were supported by thousands of lupus e-Advocates across the nation who also participated in LFA Advocacy Day by sending email messages or placing phone calls to the offices of their United States Senators and U.S. Representative.
In past years, LFA lupus advocates have been effective in advancing lupus research and education programs conducted by the federal government, including:
Photos: Senator Robert Bennett, Senator Patty Murray
Advocates urged lawmakers to increase funding for biomedical research supported by the National Institutes of Health and epidemiological research sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also urged Members of Congress to enact the Lupus REACH (Research, Education, Awareness, Communications and Healthcare) Amendments Act (H.R. 1192 and S. 1359).
United States Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Robert Bennett (R-UT), who introduced the Lupus REACH Amendments Act in the Senate, received the Distinguished Lupus Leadership Award for sponsoring the legislation which will further federal efforts to combat lupus, address gaps in research, and heighten awareness of lupus symptoms and health effects among the public and health professionals.Advocates met with approximately 200 Senators, Representatives and congressional staff members to educate policy makers on lupus and its impact on individuals and families. The advocates were supported by thousands of lupus e-Advocates across the nation who also participated in LFA Advocacy Day by sending email messages or placing phone calls to the offices of their United States Senators and U.S. Representative.
In past years, LFA lupus advocates have been effective in advancing lupus research and education programs conducted by the federal government, including:- coordinating efforts among the various federal agencies with an interest in lupus;
- securing millions of dollars for the first-ever comprehensive national epidemiological study on lupus;
- opening new sources of federal funding for biomedical research on lupus;
- obtaining changes in draft Social Security Disability regulations which will enable more people disabled by lupus to receive benefits;
- securing changes to regulations governing the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit to pay for prescription drugs required to treat lupus;
- partnering with various agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase public recognition of the serious consequences of lupus.
Photos: Senator Robert Bennett, Senator Patty Murray
March 14, 2008
Lupus Foundation of America's New Public Service Announcement -- Lupus: A Challenging Ailment
Good morning everyone.
Hope you've had a great week. It's been a busy one here. Very much looking forward to getting some r&r this weekend.
Saw the 1982 version of The Thing (starring Kurt Russell). Was pretty good. It's worth checking out. And I made the mistake of looking for original movie posters on eBay. Naturally, I found several I want. I may run out of wall space in my home soon.
And now to lupus news.
Wednesday's Webchat on kidneys & lupus went well. The transcript from the chat has already been posted to the site. You can read the transcript here.
We're working on the next LFA research enewsletter. If it doesn't go out this afternoon, it will go out in the early part of next week. As a reminder, you can always sign up to receive the free LFA enewsletters here.
And finally, I wanted to share another LFA public service announcement (PSA) with you. This one is brand-new and features Sarah Chalke, who plays Dr. Elliott Reid on TV's Scrubs. You may be wondering what her connection to lupus is. Randall Winston, a producer for Scrubs, has a sister with lupus.
This new PSA is called Lupus: A Challenging Ailment. Take a look.
If interested, you are more than welcome to embed this PSA on your blog.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time, Wick
Hope you've had a great week. It's been a busy one here. Very much looking forward to getting some r&r this weekend.
Saw the 1982 version of The Thing (starring Kurt Russell). Was pretty good. It's worth checking out. And I made the mistake of looking for original movie posters on eBay. Naturally, I found several I want. I may run out of wall space in my home soon.
And now to lupus news.
Wednesday's Webchat on kidneys & lupus went well. The transcript from the chat has already been posted to the site. You can read the transcript here.
We're working on the next LFA research enewsletter. If it doesn't go out this afternoon, it will go out in the early part of next week. As a reminder, you can always sign up to receive the free LFA enewsletters here.
And finally, I wanted to share another LFA public service announcement (PSA) with you. This one is brand-new and features Sarah Chalke, who plays Dr. Elliott Reid on TV's Scrubs. You may be wondering what her connection to lupus is. Randall Winston, a producer for Scrubs, has a sister with lupus.
This new PSA is called Lupus: A Challenging Ailment. Take a look.
If interested, you are more than welcome to embed this PSA on your blog.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time, Wick
March 12, 2008
Lupus Blog Spotlight: My Wife Has Lupus
Good morning everyone.
I realize it's now mid-week ... have you adjusted to the time change? I think I'm finally getting used to it. Wanted to catch you up to date on things. It's been a pretty busy week already at the LFA.
Yesterday was our Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. Our advocates met with their senators and representatives to talk about how critical it is that Congress increases funding for lupus research at both NIH and CDC. Additionally, we want Congress to enact the Lupus REACH Amendments to address the unmet medical needs in research, awareness, diagnostic and treatment challenges associated with lupus. Overall, I'd say everything went very well. Once the dust settles, I'm sure I'll have an update within the next week.
About a month old, the recently launched message boards are doing well so far. As of this morning, we have more than 450 registered users for them. You can join the message boards here.
As a reminder, we have a Webchat this afternoon at 3 p.m. Eastern on Kidneys & Lupus. Dr. James Tumlin will be the guest host. We hope you can join us.
And finally, I'd like to do another lupus blog spotlight.
This one is called My Wife Has Lupus. Jeff writes for the blog, and as you may have gathered, his wife has lupus.
As Jeff has learned first-hand, lupus not only affects an individual on both a personal and economic level, but it also affects their families, and their loved ones on a daily basis. Because of this, Jeff decided to create a site that was dedicated to creating a community of support for lupus patients and their friends and families.
Jeff is also a frequent contributor to the "Caregivers of People Living with Lupus" section of the LFA message boards. In fact, he recommended that we add that category to the boards.
So if you get the chance, please stop by the My Wife Has Lupus blog and say hi to Jeff.
Until next time, Wick
I realize it's now mid-week ... have you adjusted to the time change? I think I'm finally getting used to it. Wanted to catch you up to date on things. It's been a pretty busy week already at the LFA.
Yesterday was our Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. Our advocates met with their senators and representatives to talk about how critical it is that Congress increases funding for lupus research at both NIH and CDC. Additionally, we want Congress to enact the Lupus REACH Amendments to address the unmet medical needs in research, awareness, diagnostic and treatment challenges associated with lupus. Overall, I'd say everything went very well. Once the dust settles, I'm sure I'll have an update within the next week.
About a month old, the recently launched message boards are doing well so far. As of this morning, we have more than 450 registered users for them. You can join the message boards here.
As a reminder, we have a Webchat this afternoon at 3 p.m. Eastern on Kidneys & Lupus. Dr. James Tumlin will be the guest host. We hope you can join us.
And finally, I'd like to do another lupus blog spotlight.
This one is called My Wife Has Lupus. Jeff writes for the blog, and as you may have gathered, his wife has lupus.
As Jeff has learned first-hand, lupus not only affects an individual on both a personal and economic level, but it also affects their families, and their loved ones on a daily basis. Because of this, Jeff decided to create a site that was dedicated to creating a community of support for lupus patients and their friends and families.
Jeff is also a frequent contributor to the "Caregivers of People Living with Lupus" section of the LFA message boards. In fact, he recommended that we add that category to the boards.
So if you get the chance, please stop by the My Wife Has Lupus blog and say hi to Jeff.
Until next time, Wick
March 10, 2008
Lupus Advocacy Day: Call your Senators and Representatives on Tuesday, March 11th
Even if you cannot come to Capitol Hill, make your voice heard!
As you may know, Tuesday, March 11th, 300 lupus advocates from across the United States are coming to Capitol Hill to meet with their Senators and Representatives to ask them to increase funding for lupus medical research at both the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and ask them to cosponsor S. 1359/H.R. 1192, the Lupus Research, Education, Awareness, Healthcare, and Communications (REACH) Amendment.
More than 1.5 million Americans are affected by this devastating disease and it has been nearly 50 years since the FDA has approved medication to treat lupus! Even though you might not be able to come to Washington, DC to meet with your Senators and Representatives, you can still make a difference.
Call Tuesday, March 11th and get your voice heard at the same time as advocates in Washington, DC! Make your voices heard!
As you may know, Tuesday, March 11th, 300 lupus advocates from across the United States are coming to Capitol Hill to meet with their Senators and Representatives to ask them to increase funding for lupus medical research at both the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and ask them to cosponsor S. 1359/H.R. 1192, the Lupus Research, Education, Awareness, Healthcare, and Communications (REACH) Amendment.
More than 1.5 million Americans are affected by this devastating disease and it has been nearly 50 years since the FDA has approved medication to treat lupus! Even though you might not be able to come to Washington, DC to meet with your Senators and Representatives, you can still make a difference.
Call Tuesday, March 11th and get your voice heard at the same time as advocates in Washington, DC! Make your voices heard!
March 07, 2008
LFA's 2008 Advocacy Days This Coming Monday, March 10 & Tuesday, March 11
Morning all ... this is going to be a short entry. As you might imagine, we're all gearing up for our big Advocacy Days here on Capitol Hill, Monday and Tuesday of next week.
Hundreds of lupus advocates from across the United States will be coming together here in Washington, DC to take an opportunity to make their voices heard. Advocates will urge Congress to provide more funds for lupus research to find the causes and cure for lupus, and for education and public awareness programs to improve early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Even if you cannot join us next week, would you still like to advocate on behalf of the Lupus Foundation of America? Then sign up to become a lupus e-Advocate and learn how you can make a difference.
Do you want to learn more about the advocacy efforts of the Lupus Foundation of America? Then visit the lupus.org/advocacy Website.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time, Wick
A friendly reminder: This Sunday, March 9 marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Remember to "spring forward" by setting your clocks ahead 1 hour.
Hundreds of lupus advocates from across the United States will be coming together here in Washington, DC to take an opportunity to make their voices heard. Advocates will urge Congress to provide more funds for lupus research to find the causes and cure for lupus, and for education and public awareness programs to improve early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Even if you cannot join us next week, would you still like to advocate on behalf of the Lupus Foundation of America? Then sign up to become a lupus e-Advocate and learn how you can make a difference.
Do you want to learn more about the advocacy efforts of the Lupus Foundation of America? Then visit the lupus.org/advocacy Website.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time, Wick
A friendly reminder: This Sunday, March 9 marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Remember to "spring forward" by setting your clocks ahead 1 hour.
March 05, 2008
Lupus Foundation of America Observes March as National Kidney Month
It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of all people with the autoimmune disease lupus, and as many as two-thirds of all children with lupus, will develop kidney complications that require medical evaluation and treatment. Because there are so few symptoms of kidney disease, significant damage to the kidneys can occur before a person is actually diagnosed with lupus.
March is National Kidney Month and the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is using the observance to call attention to this serious and potentially life-threatening complication of lupus. The LFA will conduct a Webchat on Wednesday, March 12, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on the topic of Kidneys and Lupus.
Lupus nephritis is the term used when lupus causes inflammation in the kidneys, making them unable to properly remove waste from the blood or control the amount of fluids in the body. Abnormal levels of waste can build up in the blood, and edema (swelling) can develop. Left untreated, nephritis can lead to scarring and permanent damage to the kidneys and possibly end-stage renal disease (ESRD). People with ESRD need regular filtering of their body’s waste done by a machine (dialysis), or a kidney transplant so that at least one kidney is working properly. This occurrence greatly affects the person’s quality of life and life expectancy.
In the early stages of lupus nephritis, there are very few signs that anything is wrong. Often the first symptoms of lupus nephritis are weight gain and puffiness in the feet, ankles, legs, hands, and/or eyelids. This swelling often becomes worse throughout the day. Also, the urine may be foamy or frothy, or have a red color.
Diagnosis
Often the first signs of lupus nephritis show up in clinical laboratory tests on the urine. That is why a urine test, or urinalysis, is an important screening tool. In addition, certain blood tests can provide information about kidney damage and how well the body is filtering waste. A physician also may order a kidney biopsy in which a tiny piece of tissue from one of the kidneys is removed for testing.
Treatments
Even though lupus nephritis is among the more serious complications of lupus, there are effective treatments. Prednisone and other corticosteroids are generally prescribed to stop the inflammation. Immunosuppressive drugs may also be used (with or in place of steroid treatments), such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®), azathioprine (Imuran®), cyclosporin A, and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept®). Medications developed for other illnesses are also being studied as treatments for lupus nephritis, including rituximab (Rituxan®), eculizuimab (Soliris™), and abetimus sodium (Riquent™).
Additional Reading
March is National Kidney Month and the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is using the observance to call attention to this serious and potentially life-threatening complication of lupus. The LFA will conduct a Webchat on Wednesday, March 12, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on the topic of Kidneys and Lupus.
Lupus nephritis is the term used when lupus causes inflammation in the kidneys, making them unable to properly remove waste from the blood or control the amount of fluids in the body. Abnormal levels of waste can build up in the blood, and edema (swelling) can develop. Left untreated, nephritis can lead to scarring and permanent damage to the kidneys and possibly end-stage renal disease (ESRD). People with ESRD need regular filtering of their body’s waste done by a machine (dialysis), or a kidney transplant so that at least one kidney is working properly. This occurrence greatly affects the person’s quality of life and life expectancy.
In the early stages of lupus nephritis, there are very few signs that anything is wrong. Often the first symptoms of lupus nephritis are weight gain and puffiness in the feet, ankles, legs, hands, and/or eyelids. This swelling often becomes worse throughout the day. Also, the urine may be foamy or frothy, or have a red color.
Diagnosis
Often the first signs of lupus nephritis show up in clinical laboratory tests on the urine. That is why a urine test, or urinalysis, is an important screening tool. In addition, certain blood tests can provide information about kidney damage and how well the body is filtering waste. A physician also may order a kidney biopsy in which a tiny piece of tissue from one of the kidneys is removed for testing.
Treatments
Even though lupus nephritis is among the more serious complications of lupus, there are effective treatments. Prednisone and other corticosteroids are generally prescribed to stop the inflammation. Immunosuppressive drugs may also be used (with or in place of steroid treatments), such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®), azathioprine (Imuran®), cyclosporin A, and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept®). Medications developed for other illnesses are also being studied as treatments for lupus nephritis, including rituximab (Rituxan®), eculizuimab (Soliris™), and abetimus sodium (Riquent™).
Additional Reading
- Kidney Disease and Lupus
- Chat Transcript from March 2007- Kidney Involvement in Lupus
- Laboratory Tests
- Could it be Lupus?
- Immune Suppressants
- Ask the Experts - Kidney Disease and Lupus
- New Tests for Lupus Kidney Disease
- Summer 2007 issue of Lupus Now magazine -- Kidney Disease & Lupus
March 03, 2008
Spring 2008 Issue of Lupus Now Magazine Now Available
Good morning everyone.
Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was very nice. Hung out with some friends. Bought a watch. I never knew I had a thing for watches until this past year, and now I own about 5-6. Go figure!
Saw another movie (I know, big surprise there) that I recommend. It's Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes, from 1938. I really enjoyed it. What's interesting is movies from the 1960s -- "Bunny Lake is Missing" -- and the 2005 Jodie Foster movie, "FlightPlan," seem to borrow ... sometimes heavily ... from "The Lady Vanishes." Def. worth checking out.
That's all from my end. I'm now turning the blogging reins over to Jenny Allan, the editor of Lupus Now magazine.
Until next time, Wick
Spring 2008 Issue of Lupus Now Magazine Now Available
Hi, I’m Jenny Allan, the editor of Lupus Now magazine. I'm very excited to be able to talk about the Spring 2008 issue.
Here are some of the articles we're featuring. First up is "Child's Play: Active Attitudes for Young People with Lupus." Read about parents of children with lupus, and how they find that balance between making sure their child is safe while still allowing their child to be given every opportunity to participate in the activities he/she enjoys.
We then continue our Clinical Trials series with an article called "More Power To You." Read how clinical trial participants are making a difference in lupus research.
There's an outstanding feature on cutaneous lupus called "From the Inside Out: The Many Faces of Cutaneous Lupus."
Our other regular columns have great information as well. "Ask the Experts" answers a few questions, including one about connective tissue disease. "Teen Talk" offers advice on how to make up missed classes, communicate with your teachers, and get the support you need. And "Ask Dr. Paul" gives some suggestions on how to talk with a spouse who always thinks they know what's best for you.
Lupus Now comes out three times a year -- Spring, Summer, and Fall -- and we don’t want you to miss a thing. For just $25, it’s a bargain, so go sign up now!
Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was very nice. Hung out with some friends. Bought a watch. I never knew I had a thing for watches until this past year, and now I own about 5-6. Go figure!
Saw another movie (I know, big surprise there) that I recommend. It's Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes, from 1938. I really enjoyed it. What's interesting is movies from the 1960s -- "Bunny Lake is Missing" -- and the 2005 Jodie Foster movie, "FlightPlan," seem to borrow ... sometimes heavily ... from "The Lady Vanishes." Def. worth checking out.
That's all from my end. I'm now turning the blogging reins over to Jenny Allan, the editor of Lupus Now magazine.
Until next time, Wick
Spring 2008 Issue of Lupus Now Magazine Now Available
Hi, I’m Jenny Allan, the editor of Lupus Now magazine. I'm very excited to be able to talk about the Spring 2008 issue.Here are some of the articles we're featuring. First up is "Child's Play: Active Attitudes for Young People with Lupus." Read about parents of children with lupus, and how they find that balance between making sure their child is safe while still allowing their child to be given every opportunity to participate in the activities he/she enjoys.
We then continue our Clinical Trials series with an article called "More Power To You." Read how clinical trial participants are making a difference in lupus research.
There's an outstanding feature on cutaneous lupus called "From the Inside Out: The Many Faces of Cutaneous Lupus."
Our other regular columns have great information as well. "Ask the Experts" answers a few questions, including one about connective tissue disease. "Teen Talk" offers advice on how to make up missed classes, communicate with your teachers, and get the support you need. And "Ask Dr. Paul" gives some suggestions on how to talk with a spouse who always thinks they know what's best for you.
Lupus Now comes out three times a year -- Spring, Summer, and Fall -- and we don’t want you to miss a thing. For just $25, it’s a bargain, so go sign up now!
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