Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs, leading to widespread inflammation. This can affect various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Periods of increased disease activity, known as flares, result in worsening or new symptoms. Understanding these flares is important for individuals living with this condition.
Understanding Lupus Flares and Their Duration
A lupus flare signifies a period when lupus symptoms intensify, new symptoms emerge, or symptoms return after remission. Flares can range from mild, affecting only the skin or joints, to severe, involving major organs like the kidneys or brain. Their duration is highly unpredictable, varying significantly among individuals.
Flares can last from a few days to several weeks, or even months. Some people experience frequent flares, while others have long periods of remission.
Factors Influencing Flare Duration
The length of a lupus flare is influenced by several factors, including its severity and type. Flares affecting internal organs, such as the kidneys or brain, often tend to be more prolonged and require intensive management than those primarily involving the skin or joints.
Prompt treatment also plays a significant role in shortening a flare’s duration. Early recognition of warning signs and swift intervention by a healthcare provider, often involving medication adjustments, can help bring the flare under control more quickly. Delaying treatment can worsen inflammation, potentially prolonging the flare and increasing the risk of organ damage. Consistent adherence to the prescribed treatment plan, even during remission, can also influence flare frequency and severity.
Certain triggers can prolong a lupus flare if not identified and avoided. Common triggers include excessive sun exposure, infections, high levels of physical or emotional stress, and changes in medication. Continued exposure to these personal triggers can sustain the inflammatory response, making it harder for the body to recover and extending the flare’s course. Lifestyle habits like adequate rest, balanced nutrition, and effective stress management can support recovery.
Managing Lupus Flares
Managing a lupus flare often involves adjustments to medication under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Doctors may increase the dosage of existing medications like corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation, or introduce new ones such as antimalarials like hydroxychloroquine or immunosuppressants to calm the overactive immune system. All medication changes must be made with medical supervision, as incorrect adjustments can worsen symptoms or lead to side effects.
Rest and stress reduction are also important for flare management. Adequate rest helps the body conserve energy and combat the fatigue that often accompanies flares. Practicing stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, or gentle activities can help mitigate the impact of stress, a known flare trigger. Avoiding overexertion during a flare is also advisable.
Identifying and avoiding personal triggers is a proactive way to manage flares. For individuals sensitive to sunlight, strict sun protection, including sun-protective clothing and high-SPF sunscreen, can prevent photosensitivity-induced flares. Maintaining good hygiene and avoiding sick individuals can help prevent infections, another common trigger. Keeping a symptom diary to track changes and potential triggers can provide valuable information for the medical team, helping refine management strategies and improve communication.
When to Seek Medical Help for a Flare
Knowing when to seek medical attention for a lupus flare is important for timely intervention. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience new or severely worsening symptoms. Red flags include a high fever, severe or unexplained pain, chest pain, or shortness of breath. These symptoms could indicate serious organ involvement, such as inflammation of the heart or lungs.
Neurological changes, such as new confusion, severe headaches, seizures, or sudden weakness or numbness, also warrant urgent medical evaluation. These might signal central nervous system involvement, requiring immediate attention. Swelling in the legs, especially if new or worsening, can indicate kidney issues or blood clots.
If a flare does not improve with usual home management or prescribed medications after a reasonable period, or if you experience unusual or worsening side effects from your lupus medications, contact your rheumatologist or primary care physician. For severe or life-threatening symptoms, such as significant difficulty breathing or intense chest pressure, seek emergency care.