Lupus, technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe. Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face. Often there are periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which there are few symptoms. Lupus
is a chronic autoimmune disease caused when the immune system attacks
its own tissue, resulting in pain and inflammation of the body tissues.
There are four various types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), drug-induced lupus, and
neonatal lupus, where SLE is the most common one. Lupus is often
described as an "invisible disease" as its symptoms might fluctuate and
mimic those of other medical conditions such as fever, joint pain, skin
rashes, and internal organ issues (kidney, heart, lungs and brain),
leading to misdiagnosis of lupus condition.
🔺 Facts :
Due to the general public's lack of awareness of lupus, very little is known about this condition. According to a global survey, in 2016, only around one-third of people (39%) knew that lupus affected joints. The rest are all blissfully unaware of the condition.
* 51% are unaware of complications associated with lupus
* 36% of respondents were not aware of what lupus is
* 13% believed that lupus is a sexually transmitted disease
* 11% have a false perception that lupus is a kind of a bacteria
WhIn addition, it also stated that many people with SLE underreport their symptoms to their physician or rheumatologists because they do not connect their symptoms to their condition. The common severe symptoms reported by SLE patients are fatigue, joint pains, muscle and light sensitivity.
Another global survey conducted by World Lupus Federation (WLF) revealed 89% of lupus-affected patients reported that their quality of life was hampered with at least one of the following due to organ impairment such as
* Being unemployed and financially unstable
* Unable to participate in social events
* Transport challenges
* Mental health problems
In light of the above survey results, it is clear that more work has to be done to increase public understanding of lupus and support researchers' efforts to develop better treatment options to curb the symptoms. The disease can usually be controlled well by early detection and careful medical attention to subside the symptoms, which reduces the further risk of organ damage.
Lupus Awareness Month takes the pledge of creating awareness about the condition among the local people and healthcare governing bodies, enlightening about the disease's severity, funds required for deep research and providing mental support for all the affected people and their families.
🔺 Overview :
Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks
your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused
by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints,
skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms
often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus —
a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across
both cheeks — occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.
Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may
be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight. While
there's no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms.
🔺 Symptoms :
No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.
The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include :
* Fatigue
* Fever
* Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
* Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body
* Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
* Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* Dry eyes
* Headaches, confusion and memory loss
🔺 Get Involved in May :
Lupus Awareness Month is an opportunity for the lupus community to
join together across the country to raise funds and awareness of the
physical, emotional and economic impact of lupus.
There are many
ways you can help Make Lupus Visible in May - from sharing your story on
social media to starting a fundraiser or making a donation.
Here are a few ways we can continue to raise awareness and raise funds to end lupus.
🔹 Put on Purple for World Lupus Day :- World Lupus Day is held May 10th each year. Join us by Putting on Purple that day telling others why!
Whether it's a purple shirt, hat, lipstick or more, Put on Purple on World Lupus Day. Tell your friends and family how they can donate and get involved. We can’t fight this disease alone; we need your help.
🔹 Get Social :-
Take a pic of you, your family, friends, or co-workers decked out in purple and
post to your social media. Increase the power of your purple by posting
a photo on social media using the hashtag #LupusAwarenessMonth and
#WorldLupusDay. Share why you are wearing purple and inspire others to
join you! Tag the Heartland Chapter in your posts so we can share:
Use
this graphic to share on your social media to promote Put on Purple Day
and World Lupus Day. Just right click on the image to save.
🔺 Controlling Lupus :
Although
no single treatment is guaranteed to improve a lupus patient's
condition, the following lifestyle adjustments can aid in improving
day-to-day management.
Adhering to prescribed medication
Maintaining a regular exercise
Quitting alcohol and smoking
Applying sun protection creams
Having enough sleep
Reducing stress
🔺 Medications :
There have been four major new FDA medication approvals for lupus since the beginning of this decade. It is an exciting time filled with optimism, as events like National Lupus Awareness Month have helped to generate extra attention for patients struggling with Lupus, which has also helped to raise funds that contribute to research for new medications. The list below shows the current medications for Lupus that have been approved in the last 3 years:
for the treatment of adults and children aged 5 to 17 with active lupus nephritis (LN) who are receiving standard therapy. Lupus nephritis is a serious inflammation of the kidneys caused by lupus, which can lead to end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant
🔺 Looking Ahead :
As we look ahead towards Lupus Awareness Month 2024, there will be another focused update to the Lupus clinical guidelines from the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Even though these guidelines were originally published in 2021 as part of the Glomerular Diseases (GD) guideline. The Lupus Nephritis section is undergoing a focused update for 2023, and the public comment draft has already been circulated. For that reason, we believe these guidelines may update again between now and next May in Lupus Awareness Month 2024.
There are also numerous new treatments under investigation with clinical trials at various stages. Examples include: Blisibimod, Leflunomide (Arava®), Lupuzor™, Prograf®, Rapamycin (Sirolimus, Rapamune®), Rituximab (Rituxan®), TACI-Ig (Atacicept), Ustekinumab (Stelara®), Stem Cell Transplants, and more.
1. What is the main cause of lupus?
Ans :- The cause of lupus is unknown, and researchers are still trying to learn what may trigger or lead to the disease. Doctors know that it is a complex autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the person's tissues and organs.
2. Is lupus is Curable?
Ans:- Lupus is a chronic disease with no cure.
This means that you can manage it with treatment, but it will not go away. Treatment can help improve your symptoms, prevent flares, and prevent other health problems often caused by lupus.
3. What are usually the first signs of lupus?
Ans:- The most common signs and symptoms include :-
* Fatigue.
* Fever.
* Joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
* Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body.
* Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure.
4. What is the theme for World Lupus Day 2023?
Ans:- The theme for this year's World Lupus Day (purple day) is “Make Lupus Visible” which intends to raise public awareness about lupus diagnosis and its social, economic and psychological impacts.
5. What awareness month is for lupus?Ans:- May is Lupus Awareness Month!
6. Is there a lupus awareness day?
Ans:- May 10. May 10th is a dedicated World Lupus Day. Lupus is a serious life-altering and fatal disease that requires in-depth understanding and support for the affected persons.
