Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which your immune system accidentally attacks healthy tissues throughout your body. Weight changes with lupus are common. Some people gain weight, while others lose weight. Both can affect the response to health and treatment. Understanding that when you have lupus, what is the change in weight, it can help you manage the situation better.

With lupus, many reasons can lead to weight gain and loss. These weight changes are not always easy to predict and can vary from person to another.

Treatment is used to manage lupus Can affect your weight. For example, many people gain weight when taking some lupus medicines, including steroids. Complications and symptoms associated with lupus can lead to weight changes, as well as. Some people may lose weight due to lack of hunger or intestinal health issues.

Symptoms of lupus can also be worse by carrying extra weight. People living with obesity and lupus are at risk of complications such as more swelling, joint pain and heart disease.

Lupus affects everyone differently, and weight gain or loss can occur due to many reasons.

Medicine side effects

Medications used to treat lupus are a common cause of weight changes. These drugs include CorticosteroidsSuch as prednisone, which can help reduce inflammation and control lupus flares.

While steroid drugs can work well for symptoms, they often gain weight. This is likely because steroids can increase appetite, catch your body on excess fluid, and change how your body stores fat.

Many people who have taken steroids for a long time develop cushing syndrome. This condition creates fat around the abdomen and upper back. A common symptom is Moon faceWhere the face becomes round and puffer due to fluid retention and fat redistribution.

The longer you take steroids, the more likely you will notice the change in your weight.

Medical conditions related to lupus

If lupus causes kidney disease, you can develop Edema, Edema is inflammation that occurs when a lot of fluid is formed in your body tissue. With edema, you can see puffy eyes, swollen ankles, or swollen fingers. This fluid may appear as weight gain on the build-up scale.

Another common issue with lupus is the problem of thyroid. Hypothyroidism (Underactive thyroid, where your body does not make enough thyroid hormones) is more common in people with lupus. This can slow down your metabolism. If you develop hypothyroidism with lupus, you can increase weight, feel excess tired, or have a puffy face.

Your healthcare provider can see your thyroid levels with a blood test and can prescribe the medicine if necessary.

Low physical activity

Many people with lupus experience excessive fatigue, which can make it more challenging to remain physically active.

Combined and muscle pain are other lupus symptoms that can limit your physical activity. Your joints may feel hard, swollen, or painful, especially after morning or after sitting. Muscle pain and weakness can also make minimal physical activity feel challenging. When these symptoms flare up, you want to walk less to avoid pain.

Mental health challenges

Living with lupus and adjusting life with chronic disease can increase your stress levels. When you get stressed, your body also produces more CortisolOften stress is called hormone. The level of high cortisol is associated with the manufacture of abdominal fat.

High cortisol levels can also promote your appetite, especially for high relaxing foods in fat and sugar. Turning to food for rest when you feel stressed, worried, or depressed, then unwanted weight can increase.

Sleep difficulties

Many people with lupus struggle with sleep. Sleep helps to regulate the hormones, maintain metabolism and manage appetite, which are all associated with weight. When you do not sleep well, your body’s hunger hormone can get out of balance, which can lead to weight gain.

Lower hunger

While stress and a sad mood can sometimes increase weight, it can also reduce appetite. When the change in mood reduces your appetite, you can experience weight loss.

If lupus affects your digestive system, you can also experience loss of appetite and inadvertently lose weight.

A severe form of weight loss is called Cachexia Some people with lupus can occur. Cachexia is an unexpected loss of both fat and muscle tissue. It does not improve with increased food. If lupus affects your kidneys, blood cells or blood vessels, you are more likely to develop this type of weight loss.

This may not always be possible to control weight changes with lupus, but these strategies can help support your overall health and reduce the risk of weight changes:

• Talk to a healthcare provider about medicines: You may ask if your current medicines can affect your weight. Sometimes, adjusting your dosage or switching to options can help reduce the side effects related to weight.
• Pay attention to anti -inflammatory foods: Colorful fruits, vegetables, fatty fish and nuts can help fight inflammation.
• Find joint -friendly practice: Swimming, walking and yoga can be soft on your joints, providing weight management benefits.
• Break activities in short sessions: If the workout is very tired for a long time, try a 5–10 minute movement brake instead.
• Give preference to sleep quality: Creating a consistent gold routine and keeping your bedroom cool and dark can help improve sleep.
• Practice daily stress management: AttentionDeep breathing, or soft stretching can help reduce stress hormones associated with weight gain.
• Create a support network: Help groups can provide encouragement and practical suggestions for managing weight changes associated with lupus, whether online or in-person.

Inform your healthcare provider if you notice unexplained weight changes, including weight gain or loss, without changes in your diet or activity levels. It is important to mention any fatigue or swelling in your feet or face. These symptoms may mean that lupus is affecting your organs or your drug requires adjustment.

Try to participate in your follow -up trips so that your healthcare provider can monitor weight changes. Be open about any weight management challenges, whether it is the side effects of the drug, pain that limits activity, or emotional food. Being open allows your healthcare team to support you in managing your weight and symptoms of lupus.

With lupus, you can increase weight with drugs such as steroids, which can increase appetite and change how your body stores fat. Symptoms of lupus such as joint pain and fatigue are physically active, contributing to weight gain. Medical issues such as kidney problems or thyroid disease can also lead to weight gain.

Weight loss can also occur, especially if lupus affects your digestive system or appetite.

Managing your weight with lupus means that you work with your healthcare team, possibly adjust drugs, eat a balanced diet and find ways to transfer your body. Regular check-up with your healthcare provider can help you monitor any weight changes and keep both your weight and lupus under control.