The month of May is when medical professionals focus on the disease known as lupus. Lupus Awareness Month focuses on how it affects people of all ages, including seniors. It’s an inflammatory disease that causes the body to attack itself and can cause serious health problems, especially in the elderly.
For Lupus Awareness Month, it’s important for family caregivers to learn more about the disease, what symptoms to watch for and how to help relatives that may have lupus.
The Basics on Lupus
An inflammatory disease with no known cause, lupus has a serious impact on a person’s health. The disease causes the body’s immune system to attack itself, particularly the joints, brain, lungs, skin, heart, blood cells and brain. When it develops in aging adults, it is known as elderly-onset lupus.
More women than men are diagnosed with lupus, and while it usually appears in people that are in their 40s, nearly 20 percent of the cases take place in the elderly. Elderly women are particularly vulnerable to lupus. Whether their aging relative has already received a diagnosis of lupus or they just want to be prepared, family caregivers must become familiar with the symptoms so they can arrange for help immediately.
Recognizing Lupus Symptoms in Seniors
In elderly adults, lupus symptoms generally include fever, face rash, chest pain, fatigue, anemia, headaches, tingling fingers and swollen and painful joints. They will experience times when the symptoms are more prevalent and painful compared to times when they seem to recede. These episodes are called flairs and they range from mild to severe.
Many lupus symptoms are like other age-related conditions, so seniors often live with lupus without a diagnosis. Without treatment, they can suffer from serious health issues and even life-threatening conditions. Lupus is linked to osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, blood clots, inflammation of the lungs and more. Seniors with lupus have difficulties living independently and may need to rely on family caregivers and senior care providers to help with basic daily tasks.
How Family Caregivers Can Help Elderly Relatives with Lupus
While there is no cure for lupus, family caregivers and senior care providers can help the elderly adult overcome many of the symptoms and live a comfortable and fulfilling life. It’s important that the aging adult stay as healthy as possible with a nutritious diet and moderate activity. They should also keep chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure under control. Seniors should avoid smoking and sun exposure to reduce the effects of lupus.
During Lupus Awareness Month, family caregivers can educate themselves on what symptoms to watch for and how they can help their loved on live well despite a diagnosis of lupus
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Jupiter, FL, contact the caring staff at BrightStar Care of Jupiter. Call today (561) 741-1200.
For Lupus Awareness Month, it’s important for family caregivers to learn more about the disease, what symptoms to watch for and how to help relatives that may have lupus.
The Basics on Lupus
An inflammatory disease with no known cause, lupus has a serious impact on a person’s health. The disease causes the body’s immune system to attack itself, particularly the joints, brain, lungs, skin, heart, blood cells and brain. When it develops in aging adults, it is known as elderly-onset lupus.
More women than men are diagnosed with lupus, and while it usually appears in people that are in their 40s, nearly 20 percent of the cases take place in the elderly. Elderly women are particularly vulnerable to lupus. Whether their aging relative has already received a diagnosis of lupus or they just want to be prepared, family caregivers must become familiar with the symptoms so they can arrange for help immediately.
Recognizing Lupus Symptoms in Seniors
In elderly adults, lupus symptoms generally include fever, face rash, chest pain, fatigue, anemia, headaches, tingling fingers and swollen and painful joints. They will experience times when the symptoms are more prevalent and painful compared to times when they seem to recede. These episodes are called flairs and they range from mild to severe.
Many lupus symptoms are like other age-related conditions, so seniors often live with lupus without a diagnosis. Without treatment, they can suffer from serious health issues and even life-threatening conditions. Lupus is linked to osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, blood clots, inflammation of the lungs and more. Seniors with lupus have difficulties living independently and may need to rely on family caregivers and senior care providers to help with basic daily tasks.
How Family Caregivers Can Help Elderly Relatives with Lupus
While there is no cure for lupus, family caregivers and senior care providers can help the elderly adult overcome many of the symptoms and live a comfortable and fulfilling life. It’s important that the aging adult stay as healthy as possible with a nutritious diet and moderate activity. They should also keep chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure under control. Seniors should avoid smoking and sun exposure to reduce the effects of lupus.
During Lupus Awareness Month, family caregivers can educate themselves on what symptoms to watch for and how they can help their loved on live well despite a diagnosis of lupus
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Jupiter, FL, contact the caring staff at BrightStar Care of Jupiter. Call today (561) 741-1200.