Get to know lupus, a disease that can strike women

Lupus disease experienced by a singer named Selena Gomez since 2015 should not be considered trivial. In Indonesia alone, the number of people with lupus is not known with certainty. But the Ministry of Health estimates that around 1.5 million people suffer from this disease.

Lupus symptoms are quite difficult to detect. The reason, the symptoms are very diverse and often differ in each patient. But in reality, what is lupus?

Why are women more susceptible to lupus?

Lupus is classified as an autoimmune disease, a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the tissues and organs of the body itself. As a result, inflammation in various parts of the body can occur. Starting from the joints, skin, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs and blood cells.

Lupus can affect anyone. However, women of childbearing age (15-50 years) are the most vulnerable to this disease.

In addition, lupus is nine times more common among women than men. This will be caused by differences in hormones and sex chromosomes. However, there is no research that can provide clear evidence about this.

Apart from hormonal factors and sex chromosomes, there are a number of other factors that can increase the risk of lupus. The following explanation:

Genetic factors. Sometimes lupus can be passed down in a family. This can make a person more susceptible to lupus.
Environmental factor. Environmental factors include sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, Epstein-Barr virus infection, exposure to certain chemicals and drugs, and stress.
Influence of hormones. Researchers suspect there is a relationship between female hormones and lupus. The reason is that lupus attacks women more often than men. The symptoms experienced by women will also worsen when estrogen levels increase, for example before menstruation.

What are the symptoms of lupus?

Lupus is often called "facial disease". Because the symptoms of lupus that appear often resemble the symptoms of various other diseases. This is the reason why lupus is usually too late to be diagnosed and treated.

The symptoms of lupus experienced by each patient are not the same. Likewise with the severity. Some have serious symptoms, others don't.

However, lupus symptoms are classified as general and can occur including:

Red rashes appear around the cheeks and nose. The shape of the rash resembles the wings of a butterfly.
The seal hurts. In the medical world, this condition is called arthralgia.
Swollen joints.
Fever for no apparent reason.
Feeling very tired and not lost.
Rashes appear.
Swollen ankles. This condition may be caused by fluid buildup.
Chest pain occurs when breathing deeply.
Hair loss.
The skin becomes sensitive to sunlight or other light.
Convulsions.
Mouth or nose injury.
Toes and pale or purple fingers due to cold or stress.

The symptoms experienced by female victims will worsen with increasing estrogen levels. For example, before menstruation.

African-American and Hispanic women may also have more severe lupus symptoms than women from other racial groups. They also usually suffer from lupus from a young age.

If you experience these symptoms, you should consult a doctor. This step allows you to make a thorough diagnosis so that treatment can be given appropriately.

Can lupus be cured?

Lupus, including diseases that will usually accompany a patient for life. This means that lupus is usually incurable.

This treatment is intended to reduce the symptoms experienced by sick people. Therefore, the type of care given also tends to be different for each patient.

For example, doctors can give nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or hydroxychloroquine, to treat fatigue and joint and skin problems. The same is true for the supply of tablets, injections and steroid creams.

Especially for severe lupus, two new types of drugs, rituximab and belimumab, can also be given by doctors. Both of these drugs reduce the amount of antibodies in the blood.

Can we prevent lupus?

Because the cause is not yet known, lupus cannot be prevented. But you can reduce the factors that trigger the onset of symptoms.

If you have a rash in the sun, don't stay outdoors. You can also use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 70 or higher to block ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

To avoid fatigue, make sure you get enough sleep. The recommended night's sleep duration is seven to nine hours a day.

To prevent stress, learn and practice relaxation techniques. For example, meditation and yoga. You can enjoy a massage so your mind is calm.

By understanding what lupus is, you are expected to become more knowledgeable and careful. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia continues to appeal to the public to increase awareness of the dangers of lupus, especially on World Lupus Day, which is celebrated every 10 May.

The government has introduced the SALURI program (PerikSA LUpus SendiRI) in the hope that the public will be more aware of this disease and can detect its symptoms at an early stage.