Did you know certain work environments could trigger some lupus symptoms and possibly a flare. Take for instance someone who has photosensitivity and works under fluorescent lights all day long. Luckily, there are some accommodations and changes you can implement to prevent flares while at your workplace.

For Lupus Awareness Month, I teamed up with Healthgrades.com for an amazing series on Employment and Lupus. Today we talk about ways to prevent flare ups at your work place. Below is a short preview with a link to view the entire article. I hope you enjoy it!

Can you work with lupus and build a successful career? With the right adjustments and accommodations, maintaining employment is possible while managing lupus.

How Work Environments Can Trigger Lupus Symptoms

One of the most difficult aspects of living and working with lupus is the unpredictability of the disease and the symptoms that come along with it. People with the illness typically notice periods where the disease and its symptoms are not active, and seasons when symptoms worsen, known as flares. Over time, people with lupus can recognize triggers that bring on periods when they feel worse. While lupus flare triggers vary for each individual, some of the most common triggers include UV ray exposure, stress, infections, injury, and exhaustion.

Tips for Avoiding Lupus Flare Triggers at Work

For people working with lupus, it is important to recognize potential lupus flare triggers at their place of employment. Whether it is daily exposure to UV light or a stressful work environment, these potential triggers at work can have a negative impact on one’s disease activity.

One way to combat possible triggers while working with lupus is to speak to your supervisor about receiving a reasonable accommodation, a request protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The following accommodations can help you avoid lupus flare triggers at work, continue performing your job at an optimal level, and potentially help you keep disease activity at bay.

Read the entire article, here.