‘Be Proactive & Stay Active’: Advice to Patients

Because low bone density is often seen in autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus, and can lead to fractures, Dr. Cadet encourages her patients to do strengthening exercises and consider a gentle yoga practice.

“Yoga is really great because it enhances flexibility, builds core strength and helps with joint flexibility,” she says. “I don’t think a lot of patients realize that diseases like lupus, RA, and scleroderma, put them at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and that regular exercise can lower their risk and help with hypertension, obesity and side effects of such medications as steroids.”

Dr. Cadet says it’s also important to recognize socioeconomic factors that might impact a patient’s ability to exercise regularly or eat healthy.

“Maybe they’re missing appointments because they have transportation or childcare issues,” she says. “I think it’s important for rheumatologists to understand that different patient populations often have unique obstacles to care, and it’s important to try and identify these challenges to ensure they’re getting good care.”

Realizing that many of her patients may live in areas that lack access to healthy food options, Dr. Cadet points to social platforms, such as Instagram, that feature physicians and nutritionists who offer guides to healthy eating.

“I tell my patients eating healthy can be as easy as making substitutions, eating a lean piece of chicken versus red meat or making a smoothie instead of indulging in a milkshake,” she says. “And if they can’t afford a gym membership, they can access many websites on their phone that offer free exercise classes. Walking around the neighborhood and getting 10,000 steps a day is free and works to increase physical activity.”

Linda Childers is a health writer located in the San Francisco Bay Area.