In this episode of the Lupus Foundation of America's The Expert Series podcast, we focus on the unique challenges faced by men with lupus, a group that often experiences delayed diagnosis and is impacted by widespread misconceptions. Dr. Lisa Sammaritano shares how lupus symptoms can differ between men and women, and how the disease can affect mental health, identity, and quality of life. We also discuss reproductive health concerns and the evolving landscape of lupus treatment. For men who are ...
Jun 06, 2025•30 min•Season 8Ep. 3
In this episode of the Lupus Foundation of America's The Expert Series podcast, we explore the intersection of menopause and lupus, highlighting the unique challenges faced by women with lupus during this significant life transition. Dr. Mehret Birru Talabi explains the stages of menopause, its effects on lupus symptoms, and the importance of individualized care. We also cover hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle factors, and the necessity of self-advocacy in managing health during menopause. ...
Apr 14, 2025•46 min•Season 8Ep. 2
This episode explores the complex relationship between lupus and fibromyalgia, focusing on definitions, symptoms, overlapping conditions, treatment approaches, mental health implications, cultural influences, lifestyle factors, diagnostic tools, and the importance of patient advocacy. Experts Drs. Peter Izmirly and Kelly Corbitt provide insights into the challenges faced by patients with both conditions and discuss the need for better understanding and treatment options. Sign up to receive email...
Jan 13, 2025•33 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Drs. Ashira Blazer and Denise Kimbrough discuss the recent removal of the African American/Black race coefficient from the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Learn about the implications for lupus patients with kidney disease and the potential impacts on health equity. Episode Takeaways: Lupus-related kidney disease (lupus nephritis) disproportionately affects African American/Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, South Asian and Latino/a popula...
Nov 07, 2024•29 min•Season 7Ep. 2
March is Kidney Month! Join us for a conversation with Dr. Brad Rovin, an expert in autoimmune kidney disease, where we talk about lupus nephritis and kidney health for people with lupus.
Mar 04, 2024•43 min
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Sasha Bernatsky, about lupus and cancer, if there’s a link between lupus and cancer, and a new abstract about cancer incidence and risk factors in a large SLE cohort. Dr. Bernatsky is a rheumatologist, a James McGill professor and a senior scientist in the Centre for Health Outcomes Research and Division of Clinical Epidemiology at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Her expertise lies in using ‘big data’ from health services, linked t...
Nov 20, 2023•15 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In this episode of the Expert Series, we speak with Dr. Christie Bartels about stress and stress management for people with lupus. Dr. Bartels covers how to manage stress, resources to manage stress and the difference between stress symptoms and lupus symptoms. Dr. Bartels is Division Chief of Rheumatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Chair of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) RISE Registry Health IT Committee. As a rheumatologist health servic...
Oct 19, 2023•20 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In this episode of The Expert Series, Dr. Tamar Rubinstein, a pediatric rheumatologist at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in New York, talks with us about how lupus affects teenagers, how they can cope with lupus, and how to communicate with health care providers as teens get older. Her research focuses on improving mental health and disease outcomes in youth with lupus and has been funded by the Lupus Foundation of America, the Rheumatology Research Foundation, the Childhood Arthritis and...
Sep 21, 2023•41 min
In this episode of The Expert Series, Dr. Anca Askanase, professor of medicine, the founder and director of Lupus Center and director of Rheumatology Clinical Trials at the Division of Rheumatology of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, will be sharing about her role in the successful treatment of a catatonic woman who awakened after 20 years. Read the article on April’s case and others on the Washington Post , How autoimmune disease can attack the brain, cause psychi...
Jun 21, 2023•23 min
In this month’s episode, we learn more about visible symptoms of lupus with Dr. May Choi. Dr. Choi will discuss the difference between visible and invisible symptoms, treatment options, and ways to cope with visible manifestations of lupus. Dr. Choi is a rheumatologist, clinician scientist, and Assistant Professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. Resources Check out our previous episode about invisible symptoms with Dr. Cynthia Aranow Use this sheet to keep track of your...
Apr 20, 2023•18 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Dr. Cynthia Aranow explains the impact of invisible symptoms in this episode of The Expert Series. Learn the difference between a sign and symptom and how to discuss this topic with your health care team and loved ones. Review these resources to learn more about this topic: https://www.lupus.org/resources/understanding-the-invisible-impact-of-lupus https://www.lupus.org/resources/ten-things-to-tell-your-friends-about-lupus https://www.lupus.org/resources/learn-ways-to-better-manage-your-lupus ht...
Feb 23, 2023•14 min•Season 6Ep. 1
There is no set definition or timeframe for what counts as lupus remission. It’s no wonder lupus remission is a confusing topic! This month, Dr. Ronald van Vollenhoven, director of Amsterdam Rheumatology Center in the Netherlands, shares his expertise about lupus remission and inactive lupus and what it means for lupus warriors. Learn more about lupus remission on our National Resource Center on Lupus https://www.lupus.org/resources/lupus-remission https://www.lupus.org/resources/patient-physici...
Dec 22, 2022•21 min
In this episode of The Expert Series, we explore the topic of Step Therapy and access to medications. LFA’s Health Education Specialist and Manager Ashley Holden will explain what Step Therapy is and how it can affect people with lupus. Related resources Check out LFA’s Policy Spotlight on Step Therapy Medications that treat lupus Learn how to self-advocate for yourself or a loved one here...
Nov 17, 2022•12 min
Inflammation from lupus and treatments can affect a person’s bone density, which makes it easier for someone with lupus to break a bone. Dr. Ummara Shah, associate professor in the department of medicine at University of Rochester, discusses why it’s important for people with lupus to care about their bone health. Dr. Shah also leads clinical trials in lupus and is involved in education of lupus patients at the University of Rochester. More resources on how to manage bone health: https://www.lup...
Oct 20, 2022•21 min
La discusión de este episodio se impartió en español Lupe y Lety, especialistas en educación para la salud de la Fundación de Lupus de América (LFA, por sus siglas en inglés), están de vuelta en un nuevo episodio respondiendo preguntas frecuentes sobre el lupus sometidas al equipo de educación para la salud. Para enviar su propia pregunta a los especialistas en educación de la salud, llena este formulario aquí Para leer más de las respuestas del blog de las especialistas en educación de la salud...
Sep 15, 2022•10 min
In this episode, we focus on eyes and how lupus can affect vision. Dr. Michelle Petri, founder and director of Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, discusses the importance of maintaining eye health when you have lupus, and what to take notice of depending on prescribed medications. To learn more about lupus and the eyes, review a slideshow here Related : To see how lupus affects other parts of the body, check out our resources here Here’s how medications used to treat lupus can affect you, read more her...
Aug 19, 2022•16 min
Clinical trials make new and better treatments for lupus possible. In this episode of The Expert Series, we sit down and talk with Stephanie Slan, director of IMPACT+ (Improving Minority Participation and Awareness in Clinical Trials) at the Lupus Foundation of America about clinical trial participation. Stephanie also debunks some myths about clinical trials might keep people from wanting to participate. It’s important for people with lupus to consider participating in these trials to further t...
Jul 21, 2022•24 min
The Expert Series is happy to have Dr. Bonnie Bermas on our episode about fertility and reproductive health. Dr. Bermas is an internal medicine professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center focusing on rheumatology disorders. She was the Clinical Director of the Lupus Center and co-director of the Program in pregnancy and rheumatic diseases at Brigham and Women’s and Harvard Medical School. Her research interests include pregnancy and rheumatic diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anti...
Jun 16, 2022•24 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this month’s episode, we talk about self-care/self-management with Dr. May Choi. Dr. Choi is a rheumatologist, clinician scientist, and Assistant Professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. She has a background and training that include Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology at Harvard University and a lupus fellowship. Dr. Choi is also the Associate Director of MitogenDx Laboratory for novel autoantibody and biomarker testing for autoimmune diseases and the Associat...
May 19, 2022•26 min
In this month’s episode, we speak with Dr. Jane Salmon about Antiphospholipid Syndrome, or APS. Dr. Salmon is a Collette Kean Research Professor and the director of the Lupus and APS Center of Excellence at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Salmon shares her insight on APS how it can affect people with lupus, treatments, and more. Tune in to learn more. For more information on APS, read here Learn more about lupus and pregnancy Learn more on how smoking can affect people with lupus...
Apr 21, 2022•28 min•Season 5Ep. 4
This episode was recorded in Spanish. Este podcast fue grabado en español. En este episodio, nuestras especialistas en educación para la salud, Leticia Ocaña, MPH, CHES® y Guadalupe Patiño, MPH, hablan sobre los recursos financieros que pueden estar disponibles para las personas con lupus de la comunidad hispana/latina. Los recursos que comparten incluye información que se encuentra en nuestro nuevo artículo que se enfoca en brindar ayuda a la comunidad de lupus y dónde buscarla. Para obtener má...
Mar 17, 2022•13 min
In this episode of The Expert Series, we welcome Dr. Murray Urowitz, a senior staff rheumatologist at the Toronto Western Hospital and Senior Scientist at the Krembil Research Institute and Schroeder Arthritis Institute. Dr. Urowitz helps us continue the conversation on lupus and heart health. We discuss the difference between coronary artery disease and cardiovascular disease for lupus patients, how these diseases present in both men and women, and more. Find out more information on heart healt...
Feb 17, 2022•23 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode of The Expert Series, we are focusing on medication management. LFA talks with Dr. Marcia Mueting, CEO of Nebraska Pharmacists Association, about the importance of connecting with your local pharmacists, what questions to ask, and what to do if you experience side effects from your lupus medications. Dr. Mueting also worked as staff pharmacist, pharmacy manager in a community practice, and helps support her husband, who is a lupus warrior. For information on lupus medications, ch...
Jan 20, 2022•14 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode of The Expert Series, we talk with Dr. Anca Askanase, founder and clinical director of Columbia University’s Lupus Center, about winter wellness. We discuss how to stay healthy during cold and flu season, the importance of getting a flu shot every year, and more. To learn more about flu and vaccines for people with lupus, check out our resources on our Resource Center: Get your annual flu shot Lupus and Vaccines Be sure to also check out our blog discussing how to stay safe and s...
Dec 16, 2021•25 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In honor of National Caregivers Month, we speak with Grace Whiting, president and CEO of The National Alliance for Caregiving, on why we should give back to those who take care of us. In this episode we discuss the caregiver role, tips to stay healthy, resources, and more. For more information on caregiving, check out our dedicated page for caregivers.
Nov 18, 2021•17 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In this episode of The Expert Series, LFA’s Senior Communication Strategist Duane Peters talks with Melanie Betz of University of Chicago. Betz, a member of the American Kidney Fund dietician advisory group, addresses the role of diet for people with Lupus Nephritis and kidney-friendly recipes. For information on Lupus Nephritis, check out our dedicated resource page . You may learn more about how kidney disease involvement may affect someone with lupus . For recipes, you can check out Melanie B...
Oct 21, 2021•15 min
Esta discusión se lleva a cabo en español. En este episodio de la Serie de Expertos la Gerente de Educación para la Salud y Alcance Hispano, Leticia Ocaña, habla con la Dra. Cristina Drenkard, Profesora Asociada de Medicina de la Universidad Emory en Atlanta, Georgia, sobre los mitos y realidades comunes del lupus que rodean al lupus. Si necesita más información y apoyo, consulte nuestro paquete informativo sobre el lupus aquí. Información adicional está disponible en español. Visite: lupus.org/...
Sep 16, 2021•29 min•Season 4Ep. 9
In this episode of The Expert Series, Dr. Diane Kamen, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, Division of Rheumatology, will be sharing updates regarding research for treatments in lupus. She highlights the history of autoimmunity research, stem cell research and newly approved treatments for lupus. For more research news updates, visit: Lupus.org/News If you are interested in participating in research, visit: Lupus.org/RAY SUBSCRIBE to receive an e-mail upd...
Aug 19, 2021•22 min
The Lupus Foundation of America Health Education Specialists have had increased calls and emails from people with lupus, with questions about safely returning to work. We know that this year, is a very unique one for getting back to work with the COVID-19 pandemic. But we also know that working with lupus is a very important topics for most people with lupus and one we want to make sure we cover. Please find the links to important resources discussed in this episode: Lupus and the workplace FAQs...
Jul 15, 2021•24 min
It’s Men’s Health Month and we want to discuss how lupus affects men. In this episode of The Expert Series, Men’s Health and Special Considerations with Lupus, we answer some important questions about men’s health with Dr. Niewold , Director of the Colton Center for Autoimmunity and Judith and Stewart Colton Professor of Medicine and Pathology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. For more information about lupus and men, c lick here . SUBSCRIBE HERE to receive an e-mail update whe...
Jun 17, 2021•26 min
