Kaleidoscope Blog

Hitting the hay, getting forty winks, waiting for a visit from Mr. Sandman – however you may coyly try to catch up or sneak up on sleep, it may still evade you if you are an individual with lupus. Why is the ability to fall into a deep slumber so difficult when you feel so…

A good diet should be a priority for everyone. However, when there are complex lupus symptoms to manage, you have to go above and beyond the basic nutritional guidelines. This isn’t always and easy thing to do. Introduction Basic Dietary Guidelines to Follow When You Have Lupus The Impact of Good Nutrition on Lupus Dietary…

More than 50% of those with lupus experience some kind of digestive system disorder.  Here is an overview of this complex part of the human body and how it can be affected by lupus, lupus medications and other conditions associated with SLE. Introduction Basics of the Digestive System General Effects of Lupus and Medications Specific…

As if you don’t feel bad enough between the fatigue, lupus brain fog and chronic pain, you may also have weight issues to deal with. Whether you have the challenge of keeping the weight on or off, here are some important things to consider! Introduction What causes weight fluctuations in lupus? How can you manage…

Summertime … and the livin’ with lupus is… not easy. With the intense sunlight, heat, humidity, wind, pollen and even air pollution, summer can make life miserable for those living with SLE.  Summer conditions can trigger flares and possibly even the disease itself.  To learn how to best manage this time of year, read on. …

Getting diagnosed with lupus is scary and upsetting enough without the added stress of potential hair loss. The physical ramifications of what systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can do to the body internally are indeed very scary. But the emotional toll of looking in the mirror and seeing a dramatic change in our external appearance is…

At least half of individuals with lupus have the malar – or butterfly – rash. Read on to learn more about this common, characteristic condition for those living with lupus. Introduction Causes of the Malar Rash Diagnosing Malar Rash and Lupus Treating and Preventing Malar rash Mental Health and Malar Rash Dr. Nisha Desai:  Lupus…

If you have lupus, you might be photosensitive – meaning you have an unusually strong reaction to sunlight.  In fact, about two-thirds of the people with lupus are UV light-sensitive.  Many experience an increase in lupus symptoms after being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either from the sun or from artificial light. Are you photosensitive?…

Set yourself up for success by reviewing the Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus travel guide!   Preparing The Flight The Hotel Room Getting Around Town The Food The Medications In Case of an Emergency This time of year, many people enjoy traveling.  Exploring different places, cultures, foods and sights can be inspiring and life-changing. However, the stress…

Lupus not only can have a profound impact on your physical health, emotional well-being, and personal relationships, it can also have a profound impact on your work and professional life. Introduction Working with Your Employer to Raise Awareness and Feel Valued Making the ADA Work for You Alternative Work Environments When Working isn’t an Option…

Whether you consider your family as the family you were born or married into, the one you’ve created with your partner or spouse, or one you’ve hand-picked from close friends over the years, the strong support system these people provide in your life is as vital to your health and well-being as any medication that…

As a musician, rapper, recording engineer, and composer, Skrill-Dilly (née Andrés Kemp), 29,  is used to marathon recording sessions, frequent travel, and a physically demanding lifestyle. There was a time when you couldn’t keep him away from the strip club. If there were dollars to be tossed, a party to be turned out, or bottles to…

Lupus is not a women’s disease.  It is a disease that can affect any demographic category and gender, though it affects women the most. This article outlines how to recognize the symptoms of lupus in men and why they experience lupus differently compared to women. Introduction Why is SLE less prevalent in males? Symptoms of…

As the military has seen an increase in the number of women in active duty the last 40 years, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of lupus in the ranks. Out of the over 200,000 women who serve, over 50% are women of color, mostly black and Hispanic. We already know that…

Do you think you may have lupus?  Understanding the complex, multi-step process of getting a lupus diagnosis is one of the most common questions we get and there is no easy answer. The goal of this blog is to describe the most common aspects of the diagnosis process so that you can approach your healthcare practitioner…

  Lupus may present itself in different ways and virtually no two people will have the exact same symptoms nor the exact same treatment plans. It’s important for all of us – whether or not we have lupus – to get beyond our first impression of this chronic illness and get to know it on…

Our use of the term “kaleidoscope” is purposeful in characterizing the many diverse and shifting medical facets and symptoms of lupus as an illness as well as describing the variety and beauty of those living with the disease. Introduction Why is lupus a kaleidoscope Disease Scleroderma Rheumatoid Arthritis Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Raynaud’s Phenomenon Sjogren’s…

As someone with lupus, you may feel like you’ve exhausted all of your options for symptom relief. You may have grown weary of trying one prescription after another and while you may experience some benefits, it may not be enough. You may still find yourself struggling with the aches, pains and stiffness that comes with…

Estimated to be worth over $210 billion by 2026, the complementary and alternative medicines’ market has taken off like wildfire as many seek a wide variety of ways to fight the ravages of illness and stress. Many swear by the curative powers of practices such as massage therapy and acupuncture as ways to assist in…

I was diagnosed with lupus in 2001. At the time, I was in my mid-twenties and scared to death of being diagnosed with a lifelong illness. I remember feeling so powerless, alone and frightened of what it would mean for the life ahead of me. I did not know it then, but realize now, that…