Can Meditation Effective in Skin Cutaneous Lupus?

CLE (Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus) is an autoimmune disease that mostly affects the skin and mucosa. The total prevalence of CLE disease is 4.3 persons per 100,000.

Certain cutaneous lupus subtypes can progress to systemic lupus, which can have major health repercussions.

Multiple Clinical Research Organizations and Pharmaceuticals are conducting Cutaneous Lupus Clinical Trials in the USA to learn more about the condition and find new treatment modalities.

In this review, we will look at the clinical aspects of CLE and fresh insights into its immunopathogenesis and possible therapy methods, especially Meditation. 

What is Skin Lupus?

Skin lupus is an autoimmune skin condition in which your immune system incorrectly affects healthy skin cells, causing damage to your skin. This might result in skin redness, irritation, soreness, and eventually scars.

Skin lupus can develop on its own or as part of systemic lupus erythematosus, the most severe form of lupus that affects your entire body, including your joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.

The three kinds of cutaneous lupus are as follows:

• DLE (discoid lupus erythematosus) – This kind of lupus causes a persistent red rash that might scar.
• SCLE (sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus) – This type of lupus causes lesions on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the upper torso and arms.
• Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE) – A rash on the upper cheekbones and nose is a symptom of this kind of lupus. It’s a common sign of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Stress and Skin Lupus

Although experts have yet to confirm that stress is a direct cause of lupus, several people claim that a stressful incident occurred shortly before their first lupus flare, implying that it is known to promote flare-ups in persons who already have the condition.

The question now is, what causes a lupus flare? Emotional stress, such as a divorce, or other life issues, as well as physical stress, such as pregnancy, childbirth, or surgery, can be major causes of skin lupus.

They can take a toll over time for which, you’ll need a strong strategy for dealing with day-to-day obstacles. One approach to relieving stress is to exercise.

Meditation for Stress

While exercise is a conventional way of reducing stress, people search for innovative ways to relieve stress. They want to be in good health.

The use of meditation and mindfulness along with conventional medical therapies for several common and complex diseases has risen.

Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention on the present moment and returning to it over and over, to treat stress.

Apart from reducing stress and anxiety, meditation can improve focus and self-awareness, assist in addiction recovery, alleviate age-related memory loss, and generate an overall sense of wellness.

The methods, beliefs, and practice of meditation differ tremendously. There are five main types of meditation practices, each with its own set of benefits.

The more you practice meditation, no matter how you do it, the more comfortable you’ll grow with it and the more benefits you’ll acquire.

Can Meditation Ease the Symptoms of Skin Lupus?

Many lupus sufferers desire to explore more natural, self-empowering therapies like meditation because of the unpleasant side effects of medication.

Chronic pain can be lessened by exercising mindfulness meditation. It has been demonstrated to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and improve quality of life. Meditation, according to a 2014 study, can reduce sympathetic hyperactivity and increase the quality of life.

As a result, the experts suggest that people suffering from this disease try meditation as a supplemental treatment.

People were able to detect changes in a variety of areas after practicing meditation, including their capacity to accept rather than fight the fact that they had to live with the condition.

The ability of participants to differentiate between their personality and the fact that they had lupus increased, and they showed less social avoidance.

Because it enhances acceptance of unfavorable physical and mental situations, the researchers regarded mindfulness as a viable adjunct treatment for persons with cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Lupus

Lupus cannot be cured by changing one’s lifestyle. However, they can help manage symptoms, enhance the quality of life, and reduce the risk of complications. You’ll also have to walk a fine line between your physical and mental well-being.

1. Quit Smoking 

Each cell in the body is affected by smoking. It also puts the heart, lungs, and kidneys under strain, aggravating lupus. Smoking cessation will benefit your health instantly.

2. Sun exposure should be avoided

Many people are more likely to get sunburned triggering cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Skin rashes can also be aggravated and flared by exposure to the sun. To guard yourself, take the following steps:

• Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., stay in the shade.
• Use sunscreen.
• Wear a cap, long-sleeved shirt, and pants that cover your entire leg.

3. Dietary Changes

A balanced diet is essential for good health. Consume plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. While avoiding alfalfa may be beneficial, there are no other foods that cause flare-ups. A helpful practice is to maintain a food journal.

Avoid meals that aggravate your symptoms. Also, alcohol should be consumed in moderation. It has the potential to alter the way drugs work or exacerbate existing problems.

4. Exercise

Mood swings are typical, especially in the first few months or during a flare-up. Depression can make it difficult to overcome and put you at risk for more serious health issues.

In this situation, e Exercise can help you gain strength and improve your overall health. This may help to mitigate the consequences of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. In addition, during flare-ups, activities may need to be restricted

5. Invest around your care

Maintain communication with your medical team. Let them know if you’re experiencing symptoms that indicate a flare-up is approaching. Talk to them about any symptoms or treatments that are troubling you.

Discuss the effects of skin lupus with your partner on sexual activity and go-to individual or couple therapy sessions and seek counseling if you need support coping with issues.

They provide an environment of encouragement and support that will assist you in settling into your treatment and holding to it.

Final Question: To Meditate Or Not To Meditate?

Yoga and Meditation, which is said to have begun thousands of years ago in India, has increased in popularity in the United States at a time when the impact of technology on work has increased the level of development and the speed with which we complete tasks.

This fast-paced world can weigh on your mind, especially if you’re already battling an autoimmune disorder that makes day-to-day life difficult.

Coping with such conditions can be difficult, but meditation, specifically mindfulness meditation, can help you maintain your mental health while keeping all of your symptoms and flares under control. And if you want to start right away, begin it slowly and consistently

Conclusion

Many people with lupus have a mild form of the disease, but it can become severe if not treated properly. Because there is currently no cure for lupus,

Clinical Research institutes and pharmacological companies are looking for new innovative treatment options to treat your cutaneous lupus erythematosus.