News Archives

Here is a link to a discussion on the FDA website about UV radiation and some of the diseases it treats:

FDA info on phototherapy (mentions Lupus)

While it doesn’t discuss UVA1 specifically, it DOES discuss the different wavelengths and a little about how they work.  This piece discusses the effect UV radiation has on the body (different wavelengths do different things), how where you live matters, the health benefits (and some drawbacks for certain wavelengths) and a little about the UV spectrum.  It also lists some of the diseases that have shown to benefit from using phototherapy, including Lupus.  

Some wisdom from a Chinese Proverb:

I find this article very ironic (and I’m smiling, not frowning btw) because I am from Portland, Oregon and I wasn’t diagnosed with Lupus until I got to Oklahoma. Really sun allergy? Oklahoma is very hot and very sunny and I happen to have the severe photo-sensitivity that at least half of all Lupus patients experience.

Oregon, on the other hand, is not sunny most of the time…in addition, Oklahoma isn’t known for clean air and has the worst allergies of any state. Cool. It gets better: San Francisco and Seattle are also in the top 3. Go PacNW!

Anyway, what do you do, right?? Laugh it off and embrace it. Be Well!

Here are the Best and Worst Cities For Your Skin.  Where do you live??  

Here are a few foods you should stay away from if you have Lupus and why…

Foods Lupus Patients Should Avoid

Here is an interesting article on nano particles and autoimmune diseases – I don’t like to get too careful or paranoid but this makes sense…

Nano Particles and Autoimmune Disease

http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnaffects.aspx?articleid=2324&zoneid=526

This article does a great job of describing how Lupus affects your skin and the different types of lupus and skin involvement. It also has some good links if you want further information on lupus and your skin, be well!

Another Lupus awareness video – short and sweet! Be well…

I’ve seen this commercial on TV and am very glad to see Lupus Awareness spreading…

Here is a recent Medscape article about what may be the underlying cause or driving mechanisms for Lupus.

Two new studies published in the journal Science Translational Medicine point to a cycle of cell death and chronic inflammation involving blood cells called neutrophils, versatile soldiers of the immune system that race to the site of infection to destroy invaders, as a key engine in the disease.

The discoveries come during a week when the FDA is expected to announce its decision on the biologic drug Benlysta, which could be the first drug approved to treat lupus in nearly 50 years.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus affects about 1.5 million Americans, many of them younger women.

It is very exciting to see research moving forward in this area since nothing has been accomplished in over 50 years. Good for these guys!

Here is another great Lupus awareness video, it really gives insight into what Lupus patients go through and what the Alliance for Lupus Research does to help, check it out: