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Preventative Medicine

Sleep hygiene recommendations for lupus patients

Lupus and Sleep: Strategies to Sleep Better!

December 14, 2020

Lupus and Sleep Problems are Common: Strategies to improve your sleep (October 2024 Update)

Tips on better sleep

Lupus and sleep problems are real. The lack of sleep has been associated with numerous problems such as fatigue, memory and concentration
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bacteria in urine bacteriuria can cause lupus flares

Bacteria in Urine Increases Lupus Flares

November 27, 2020

If we prevent bacteria in urine (bacteriuria), could we decrease lupus flares?

Bacteria in urine was found in a study to possibly increase flares in lupus patients. If this is true, then decreasing bacteria in the urine could possibly help …

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Dr. Don Thomas, MD

I am Dr. Donald Thomas, MD, a rheumatologist treating hundreds of lupus patients for over 30 years. Read my first blog post here to understand why I started this website and blog about “The Lupus Encyclopedia” and “The Lupus Secrets”.

Dr. Don Thomas also enjoys educating and empowering doctors, medical students, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and patients.

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Lupus and the Respiratory System

The respiratory system, also known as the pulmonary system, plays a crucial role in exchanging gases essential for
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6 Supplements For Lupus That Worsen Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive. This post discusses a 2024 research study
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Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine: Now see me excited to get it

What was it like getting the COVID-19 vaccine? … and some advice for lupus patients   A rheumatology
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COVID Vaccines, Evusheld & Stopping Drugs for Shots [FEB 2023 Update]

  Stopping Methotrexate for 1 Week as Effective as 2 Weeks after Flu shots [FEB 2023 Update) This
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Lupus and Vaccines: Shingles, Shingrix, and Zostavax

Knowing how lupus and vaccines interact is important since infections are one of the top two causes of
Woman with lupus helping lupus research for the Lupus Foundation of America

Share Lupus Experiences Now: Help current research on lupus

IF YOU HAVE LUPUS OR ARE A CAREGIVER: Help current research on lupus by sharing your experiences with
Don Thomas, MD answers question about lupus and immune boosting supplements like Echinacea

Vitamins For Lupus: Avoid some is the best advice

Not All Supplements and Vitamins for Lupus Patients are Safe Vitamins for lupus patients: “Ask Dr. T!” question
Type 1 interferon cytokines are inhibited by the anifrolumab FDA approval drug

Anifrolumab FDA approval to treat systemic lupus [Saphnelo]

Anifrolumab FDA Approval to Treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) AstraZeneca announced its anifrolumab FDA approval on 8/2/2021. In
Man with lupus with hands on his chest during a heart attack

Bottom Line on Diabetes vs Lupus and Stroke & Heart Attacks

Lupus and Stroke and Heart Attacks: A bigger problem than we thought! We have known for a long
Word Symptoms in Scrabble Tiles

Early Signs of Lupus: What to Look For

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. Early diagnosis is key
COVID Booster vaccine for lupus patients is possible according to research study

Immunosuppressed Patients Respond to Booster Shots: Hope for a COVID Booster Vaccine for Lupus and Other Autoimmune Disease Patients? [Updated 8/12/21]

  Will a COVID Booster Vaccine for Lupus Patients Increase Response Rates? We do not know, yet. However,
Sleep hygiene recommendations for lupus patients

Lupus and Sleep: Strategies to Sleep Better!

Lupus and Sleep Problems are Common: Strategies to improve your sleep (October 2024 Update) Tips on better sleep
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Benlysta Reviews: Learn the amazing truth on how it works

  …
bacteria in urine bacteriuria can cause lupus flares

Bacteria in Urine Increases Lupus Flares

If we prevent bacteria in urine (bacteriuria), could we decrease lupus flares? Bacteria in urine was found in
Covid Study Flyer

COVID Vaccine and Lupus: Join in a Research Study Now

How the COVID Vaccine and Lupus Interact is Important to Figure Out: Consider Joining this NIH Research Study
Dr. Donald Thomas MD holding the new edition Lupus Encyclopedia A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Health Care Providers

Angela Deem of 90-Day Fiancé

  ​A gift for Christmas 2020, since I’m a 90-Day Fiancé fan. Angela wishes me a Merry Christmas and
Normal SD-OCT in a lupus patient

Rheumatologists: What if hydroxychloroquine eye tests show retinopathy [FEB 2023 Update]

Do not automatically stop hydroxychloroquine if your eye doctor tells you your patient has HCQ-retinopathy! Heed my practical
Woman holding thermometer to head during what is a lupus flare

What is a Lupus Flare: Prevent and Treat

Most people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will experience a lupus flare. Many have multiple flares. In this
close-up photo of persons eye

Lupus and The Eyes

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems,
salmon for anti-inflammatory diet with vegetables

Lupus Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Lifestyle changes advice [JUL 2024 UPDATE]

Eating a diet high in foods that decrease inflammation while avoiding or minimizing foods that increase inflammation can
Image showing complications of dry mouth from lupus exocrine involvement

Lupus and The Exocrine Gland System

Lupus, a complex autoimmune disorder, affects multiple systems in the body, including the exocrine gland system. When the
wrist brace for joint protection for the wrist with lupus arthritis

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis Joint protection is essential in dealing with pain. When you rest a
Use of DHEA in lupus patients

DHEA and Lupus: Research shows it to be useful and good in some

Other Facts about DHEA and lupus – DHEA and lupus: DHEA stands for DeHydroEpiAndrosterone – It is produced
A mask, needle, and syringe as symbols to protect from COVID-19

What is Evusheld and Who Should Get Evusheld: Prevent COVID-19 [OCT 2022 Update]

What is Evusheld? It is a treatment to prevent COVID-19 infections. It is not a vaccine. It is
Proton pump inhibitor induced subacute cutaneous lupus on upper back of woman with systemic lupus erythematosus

Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Due to Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitor-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Clinical characteristics and outcomes In this post we’ll cover subacute cutaneous
X-ray of lupus joint and muscle pain

Lupus Joint and Muscle Pain

Close to 90% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will have joint and muscle pain. Understanding lupus
Dr. Donald Thomas gets the COVID-19 vaccine

How the Covid-19 Vaccine Works: amazing!

It is amazing how the COVID-19 vaccine works (the mRNA vaccines, especially) It intrigues me how the COVID-19
exercise and lupus photo of a woman on a stationary bicycle

Weight Loss & Exercise in Lupus: the science & patient view

The video provided below offers valuable insights into practical information regarding weight management and exercise for individuals with
Image of two kidneys and some doctors with the title chronic kidney disease

3 Proven Ways to Stop Lupus Chronic Kidney Disease Progression

Reducing the worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in lupus and other autoimmune diseases is possible. I have
Anatomical drawing of a kidney with artery, vein, and ureter

Benlysta for lupus nephritis: Studies show it is effective

Hot off the press SEP 2020! The future is very bright for lupus treatments!     The future
News Flash COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients

Covid-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients: Please get your vaccine

Should We be Recommending the COVID-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients?: Yes! What I tell my systemic lupus patients
Lupus Mottled Skin

Lupus Mottled Skin and the Symptoms (Updated August 2024)

Among the skin manifestations commonly associated with lupus is “mottled skin.” Livedo reticularis is the primary example. This
Increase energy with lupus

Increase Energy with Lupus

Living with lupus often comes with the challenge of persistent fatigue, a common symptom of the disease. This
A man with trigger finger due to tenosynovitis

Now Research Shows: Lupus tendinitis, common cause of lupus pain

Jaccoud’s arthropathy due to lupus tendinitis (lupus tendonitis) and lupus tenosynovitis What is lupus tendinitis (also spelled lupus
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Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease: It Is Real! (October 2024 Update)

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is one of the most common rheumatologic diagnoses. Many systemic lupus patients start
Early signs of lupus in females

Early Signs of Lupus in Females

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, predominantly impacts women. Around 90% of lupus patients are women, while 10% are
estrogen levels by age in women and lupus from puberty to menopause

Lupus in Women: From Puberty to Menopause

Lupus in women occurs much more often than in men. There are many reasons this occurs. Also, lupus
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Research Results in Dealing with Autoimmune Disease Fatigue Now

The causes of fatigue and dealing with autoimmune disease fatigue. ​ Tips on how to improve energy with
blood test for Epstein Barr virus and mononucleosis

Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine to Prevent Lupus and Other Diseases?

An Epstein Barr virus (EBV) vaccine to prevent lupus? EBV infection may be a common trigger, causing the
Lupus and the digestive system

Lupus and The Digestive System

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is an autoimmune disorder that can affect nearly every organ
Anti-cardiolipin antibodies and lupus

Anticardiolipin Antibodies and Lupus

The immune system of many lupus patients produce anticardiolipin antibodies. These antibodies, known for their connection to various
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Lupus and Hepatitis C: Lupus Patients Should be Tested for Hepatitis C

The interactions of hepatitis C and systemic lupus is strange, and hepatitis C can mimic lupus … read
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Lupus and Thyroid Medications

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system can attack the thyroid gland as well as the
Two arm wrestlers representing Saphnelo vs Benlysta

Saphnelo vs Benlysta? What is the Best Medicine for Lupus? [January 2025]

Update March 2024 Saphnelo is the only FDA-approved drug for SLE to have a randomized, placebo-controlled long-term extension
New lupus test for lupus flares announced by The Lupus Foundation

The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index Test: A new lupus lab test

The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index test The Lupus Foundation of America, in its continuous quest to advocate
Immunosuppressants and COVID vaccine ACR guidelines and recommendations

Immunosuppressants and COVID Vaccine: Fundamentals in the new guidelines

Immunosuppressants and COVID vaccine: which you should stop and not stop American College of Rheumatology Clinical Guidance Summary UPDATED
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Lupus Stomach Medications: Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms and problems are common in lupus patients and can significantly impact their quality of life. In
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CBD for Lupus: Look here for the best advice [2023 Update]

Medical Marijuana (Cannabis, Cannabinoids, THC, CBD for Lupus)? Should patients use CBD or other cannabis products for lupus?
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Botox Injections and Lupus

If you have lupus and are considering Botox injections for cosmetic or medical purposes, it’s important to understand
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Spotlight on a Good Poem by Devoted Lupus Warrior

Lupus by Lupus Warrior and Lupus Fighter Shanelle Gabrielle “​I still have a purpose … A reason to