Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE) can affect different parts of your body, including your kidneys, joints, and skin. While issues with your digestive (gastrointestinal) tract aren’t the most common symptoms, between 40 percent and 60 percent of people with lupus will have symptoms related to digestion.

Some members of MyLupusTeam have experienced digestion issues. “I am sick to my stomach almost every day,” one shared. “My joints, nerves, and my stomach cramp at the same time,” another member said.

If you’re experiencing lupus and stomach issues together, it’s important to understand what might be going on. Learn more about how lupus can contribute to digestion issues.

What Digestive Issues Do People With Lupus Experience?

People with lupus can experience issues with their entire digestive tract, from their mouth all the way to their anus. This article focuses on issues that show up in the belly or that affect eating.

The issues noted above by MyLupusTeam members are only some of the ones that people with lupus experience. In addition to the nausea and stomach cramps they mentioned, people with lupus might experience digestive issues like:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Pain
• Bowel changes, like diarrhea or constipation
• Trouble swallowing
• Loss of appetite

Some people with lupus may experience quite a few stomach issues, while others won’t experience any at all. It’s important to know what’s normal for your body so you can talk to a doctor if something changes or if your symptoms are causing problems in your daily life.

What Causes Digestive Problems for People With Lupus?

Different gastrointestinal problems can be caused by different things. Lupus itself, conditions related to lupus, or lupus medications are all possibilities. This can make it hard to figure out what cause is related to which symptoms. It’s even harder if you have quite a few of them.

For instance, your lupus belly bloat might have a different cause than your lupus nausea. You and your healthcare professional may need to work through several ideas before you figure out what’s going on in your body.

Lupus Itself

Lupus can cause inflammation in your esophagus, intestines, nervous system, pancreas, liver, and other parts of your abdomen. Inflammation in these parts of your body can cause a variety of digestive issues, like stomach pain. Certain symptoms can give you and your rheumatology team a clue about what’s going on. For instance, if your liver is affected, you might also experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), in addition to stomach problems.

Other times, you and your doctor may need to investigate to figure out where there’s inflammation that’s causing lupus digestive issues. This can feel frustrating. However, understanding what’s going on in your body is the first step toward feeling better.

Other Conditions Related to Lupus

In some people, lupus causes other conditions that then lead to digestive or stomach problems.

Lupus can cause weakness in your esophagus, which can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux. When this happens, stomach acid moves up your esophagus from your stomach. This can cause you to have trouble swallowing or lead to heartburn, gas, and vomiting. Some people may only experience this when they eat certain things, like spicy food.

Other people with lupus are also diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This can cause gas, constipation and/or diarrhea, and stomach pain.

It’s also possible for people living with lupus to experience an intestinal pseudo-obstruction. When this happens, your body acts as if there’s something obstructing your bowel when there’s actually nothing there. People who experience this may have abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

Finally, people with lupus may experience infections in their abdominal area. Infections can cause peritonitis (inflammation) or ascites (a buildup of fluid) in that area. Both of these can lead to pain in the abdomen and nausea or vomiting.

Lupus Medications

Many of the medications that are often used to treat lupus can also cause digestive side effects. Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids can lead to ulcers, stomach bleeding, liver problems, and other intestinal issues, which can cause digestive issues.

Some steroids and a medication called azathioprine (Imuran) can cause problems with your pancreas and liver. Methotrexate can also lead to liver problems, and it’s connected to acid reflux, abdominal pain, and an increase in liver enzymes.

If all of that sounds confusing, it’s because it is. It can be difficult to puzzle out what’s causing your digestive and stomach issues. If you’re on several medications, it may be hard to figure out which ones are tied to which symptoms. This is why it’s important to take note of any new symptoms and when they start so you and your rheumatologist have some clues about what might be going on with your body.

How To Manage Digestive Problems Related to Lupus

It’s important to figure out how to manage the digestive problems you experience due to lupus. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Talk to Your Doctor

One of the most important things you can do is talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out what’s causing your digestive problems. This may involve running some tests. They may also want you to experiment with different medications or different doses.

Getting effective treatment for these issues can change your life. You may need new or different lupus treatment or treatment for a condition related to lupus. If your current treatment is causing problems, you might decide to use another one instead. Your doctor is the only one who can help you figure out the puzzle behind what’s causing your digestive problems. Then, you can find the best treatment option for you.

Take Care of Yourself

Taking care of yourself may help your symptoms improve. This may seem like a basic concept, but self care can make a big difference in the way you feel. Self care with lupus may mean:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Getting plenty of rest and sleep
• Staying hydrated
• Working to manage your stress
• Drinking alcohol only in moderation
• Quitting smoking

• Doing your best to avoid infections

Your doctor might also suggest some other lifestyle changes based on the specific symptoms you’re experiencing.

Try Home Remedies

Different people swear by different home remedies when it comes to digestive and stomach issues. Members of MyLupusTeam talk about a number of these.

“Ginger tea can soothe your tummy,” one member shared. “I use heating pads for my stomach to prevent taking so many painkillers,” someone else added.

Other people may tell you to try peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and more. You should always check with your doctor before you take these suggestions. You want to know that what you’re doing is safe and to get any directions or instructions they might have for you.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lupus.

Do you have digestive problems or stomachaches that are connected to lupus? How have they affected your daily life? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.