What to Know About Complementary Treatments for Lupus

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness can be a distressing and disorienting experience. Surveys of people who have chronic diseases have found that many experience a sense of powerlessness, and that they tend to view their condition as more than a threat to their health; it’s also seen as a threat to their psychological well-being, as well as their social and personal identities. All of these experiences may be heightened among people with lupus, a complex autoimmune condition that tends to arise unexpectedly and in relatively young patients. The unpredictable and highly variable course of the disease can contribute to feelings of uncertainty and lack of control. Patients are likely to worry about how their life will change, or whether they’ll be able to pursue long-held ambitions. In many cases, their care provider won’t be able to give them definite answers to these questions.  [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] While medication is often the cornerstone of treating the underlying disease, drugs alone can’t always address the feelings of stress and powerlessness that accompany a disease like lupus. It’s here that complementary and integrative forms of care may play an important role. “I think we have to understand the whole context of the person, and their need to manage the ups and downs of the disease,” says Dr. Carol Greco, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized freelance healthscienceclimate Source Type: news