Things To Avoid

We hear a lot about the sorts of things that we're supposed to include in our daily lives for optimal heath: exercise, loads of water, fiber, medication, rest, etc. What about things that aren't so good for us? What kinds of things should we be actively avoiding?

While some things like smoking and excessive alcohol are pretty obvious, there are some things that might be making you ill that you don't even realize are contributing to your problems.

• NIGHTSHADE PLANTS

  Plants of the "nightshade" variety contain sodium alkaloids that can trigger a flare. Some examples of nightshade fruits and veggies are: eggplants, white potatoes (sweet potatoes and yams are safe), alfalfa (especially the sprouts), red or green peppers and tomatoes.

  You should also avoid any herbal supplements or teas that contain tobacco, Kangaroo Apple, Deadly Nightshade (belladonna or mandrake), bittersweet, astragalus, ginseng, Jerusalem Cherry, horse nettle or Echinacea. Frequently, supplements containing these herbs claim to have a positive or "boosting" effect on the immune system, which could obviously catch the attention of someone with lupus. Avoid these things completely, since boosting an already out-of-control immune system can have serious effects.

• SUNLIGHT

  40-60% of lupus patients have some form of photosensitivity, or sensitivity to sunlight and/or fluorescent lighting. While the exact reason that some types of light can cause a lupus reaction is unknown, some studies have suggested that these lights can affect the DNA of the skin. This altered DNA can act as an antigen, causing an autoimmune response and triggering rashes, joint pain or even a full-blown flare.

  Avoiding the sun includes staying indoors during the most intense hours of sunlight, from 10 am to 4 pm, wearing a sun block with a minimum SPF of 15 on a daily basis (using baby sun block is a better idea, since the SPF is higher and it's more likely to be friendly to sensitive skin), and wearing long sleeves and a hat whenever you're outdoors. Remember that snow, water and sand reflect sunlight, and increase your exposure. Overcast days are not "safe" to go out in unprotected. Haze and clouds don't block out the dangerous and damaging UVA and UVB rays - Keeping your guard up every day is the best way to stay safe.

• CERTAIN DRUGS

  Hydralazine hydrochloride (also called Apresoline, Alphapress, Novo-Hylazin or Supres) is a drug used to control high blood pressure. Procainamide hydrochloride (also called Procanbid, Promine, Pronestyl or Pronestyl-SR) is a drug used to control irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias. Isoniazid (also called INH, Isotamine, Laniazid, Nydrazid or PMS-Isoniazid) is a drug used to treat or prevent tuberculosis. All of these drugs have been known to induce systemic lupus symptoms in people with no previous history of lupus or autoimmune problems.

  The copyright of the article Things To Avoid in Lupus is owned by Karyn Moran Holton. Permission to republish Things To Avoid in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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