When singer Selena Gomez admitted late last year that she has been diagnosed with lupus, the world took notice. But the young American star is not the only one who has been diagnosed with the illness; R&B singer Toni Braxton has it, and pop diva Lady Gaga has reportedly been tested as “borderline positive” for it. In fact, popular medical series House M.D. had also tackled the condition in one of its episodes, something appreciated by lupus sufferers as it helped drive awareness about their illness.
According to data, nine out of 10 people who suffer from the disease are female. The Philippines’ premier health care facility Makati Medical Center encourages everyone to take the time to get educated about the disease that may affect the women in our lives.
But what exactly is lupus? Dr. Jose Paulo Lorenzo, head of MakatiMed’s section of Rheumatology under the Department of Medicine, says that, “Lupus is an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, our immune system does not efficiently recognize the self or our body, versus non-self, such as infection. It therefore attacks our body tissues, causing disease.” Lupus is in the top 10 list of most common autoimmune diseases.
And while we use lupus as a general, catch-all term, the disease actually has five specific types, which affect the body in different ways. Accounting for an estimated 70 percent of all cases is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE that impacts just about every major organ in the body including the heart, lungs, kidney, brain, joints and skin. Majority of sufferers experience swelling and joint pain but other symptoms may vary extensively.
“Lupus is predominantly a disease of women. It is eight to 15 times more common in women than in age-matched men, and it is commonly diagnosed between the third and fourth decade of life during their child-bearing years.” Dr. Lorenzo points out.
In fact, majority of the 2,273 patients with SLE who consulted with various rheumatology centers around the country from 1995 to 2010 are women according to the Philippine-based Lupus Inspired Advocacy (LUISA) Project. The average age of women, reported LUISA, was 29.
According to the doctor, “Early diagnosis and prompt management of the various disease manifestations are of utmost importance for prevention of worsening disease or complications.”
Around 90 percent of lupus sufferers experience fatigue, according to the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center. If sleeping adjustments don’t work, and you’ve reached a point where fatigue is debilitating, consult with your doctor. A very visible sign of lupus is the butterfly-shaped rash which appears on both cheeks and the bridge of the nose. The John Hopkins Lupus Center reports that about 50 percent of patients have this rash, usually triggered by exposure to sunlight. Other early signs include having a low-grade fever for no apparent reason, hair loss, pulmonary and kidney inflammation, dry eyes and mouth, as well as swollen joints.
Unfortunately, the actual cause of lupus is still largely unknown. Neither has a cure been found, although medication can keep symptoms at bay. Aside from sun exposure, other triggers include illnesses and physical, mental and emotional stress.
Treatment of the disease is not one-size fits all since it will vary greatly on how lupus affects a particular patient. At Makati Medical Center, lupus is treated with the expertise and care of specialists from different disciplines. No treatment however can begin without expert diagnosis, and MakatiMed’s section of Rheumatology often works in tandem with specialists to diagnose and manage a spectrum of rheumatic diseases, including lupus.
Years ago, the chances for survival from lupus were slim: 50 percent at four years after diagnosis, says prevention.com. Today, great strides in medicine have increased the survival rate by 80 to 90 percent. “Things can only get better,” assures Dr. Lorenzo, “as experts continue to improve and find ways of diagnosing, managing, treating and preventing lupus altogether.”
For more information, contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.8888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph.