|
|
Psychosocial Aspects of Lupus
Lupus is a chronic disease that defies easy description.
A diagnosis may not be made for a long time.
Diagnostic
difficulties coupled with the serious, chronic nature of
the disease present the patient, family, and the medical
team with many challenges. For people with lupus,
psychosocial issues can be a major part of living with this
illness.
Health professionals need to be aware of these issues
to achieve excellent, comprehensive care of people
with lupus. Because lupus is a chronic disease of flares
and remissions, each exacerbation of the disease can
raise new issues of coping for the patient.
This chapter
describes concerns typically raised by people with
lupus and their families. Each of these concerns is an
opportunity for the nurse or other health professional
to provide education and to help people explore feelings
and resolve problems.
Source: National Institutes of Health, U.S.Dept of Health and Human Services
|
|
|
|