Each year, Lupus Awareness Month is observed during the month of October to spread awareness about the autoimmune disease, while lending support to persons who are battling with the disease.

This year, the public education campaign is being observed under the theme ‘Lup-Us, You, Me, Us: Stronger Together’.

According to the Mayo Clinic, lupus is a disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its tissues and organs.

Lupus can affect the quality of life of persons living with the disease, especially for individuals who cannot afford medical care.

As Jamaica observes Lupus Awareness Month, it is equally important to understand the complexity of the disease to best support persons living with the condition.

Who is at risk of developing Lupus?

Lupus can affect people of all ages, irrespective of their age and gender. However, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, lupus is more common among women than men, mainly because of the differences in their genes and hormones.

The disease is more common among women who are of childbearing age (between ages 15 and 45).

Lupus is also most common among persons who are of African descent, Hispanic, or Asian.

Symptoms

Persons living with the medical condition many people have different symptoms because the inflammation caused by lupus can affect several areas in the body.

Studies have shown that most persons with lupus disease suffer from joint pains and skin rashes. However, others also develop fluid around the heart and lungs, and in some cases, kidney disease and dysfunction of some brain activities.

Triggers

• Exposure to sunlight
• Infections
• Certain medications
• Injury
• Lack of rest

Treatment

Medical providers typically conduct an Anti-Nuclear Antibodies (ANA) blood test to determine whether their patients have lupus before diagnosis.

Treatment options for persons who test positive for (SLE) depend on the symptoms associated with the disease, therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all. It is important for persons living with the condition to speak to their healthcare provider about the symptoms they are experiencing to aid in the correct diagnosis.