Our body is designed in such a way that when we get an attack from bacteria, viruses, or parasites, our immune system can withstand it. Our immune system is the body’s tool for preventing and limiting infections. However, the case scenario is quite different for a Lupus person.

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an inflammatory disease when your body’s immune system attacks your healthy tissues and organs. Simply put, your immune system mistakes your healthy tissues as the enemy. These attacks can affect many systems like the nervous system(The Brain), joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs.  Many tests, including various blood tests, are needed to get a diagnosis though it can take a long time for one to be diagnosed as its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments.

Signs and Symptoms of Lupus.

These usually vary as no case of lupus is like the other, but the most common ones include;

• Fatigue
• Joint Pains and Swelling
• Mouth Ulcers
• Fever
• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with direct sun exposure
• Shortness of breath
• Chest Pain
• Dry eyes
• Digestive problems
• Headaches, Confusion, and memory loss.

The most distinctive sign of lupus is a facial rash resembling butterfly wings across both cheeks. This occurs in many but not all cases of Lupus; however, it can be extremely hard to identify in people with dark skin.

Causes, Risk factors, and treatment of Lupus.

Scientists haven’t yet been able to correctly identify the cause of lupus though some suggest that its results are a combination of your genetics and the environment. Some potential triggers include exposure to sunlight, medications used to treat blood pressure, anti-seizures, and certain antibiotics. It is known that 9 in 10 people with Lupus are women, and only 1 in 10 are men. It’s usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45. Since lupus is not a common disease, sufferers lack much support.

Lupus is a chronic illness with no known cure, but certain medications like steroids and immunosuppressive drugs may help the patient feel better. These, though, bring about certain side effects like dizziness, depression, digestive problems, and nausea in some patients. Patients may sometimes find it hard to do the simplest things, like getting out of bed or holding a glass of water.

Lupus in Africa.

There’s a perception that the number of people suffering from lupus in Africa is low, but recent studies show that this is not true. According to a survey done among medical practitioners dealing with lupus, the low apparent incident rates may be due to under-diagnosis caused due to poor access to health care, diagnostic tests, and inadequate numbers of specialists. In Uganda, accessing an appointment with a rheumatologist (a specialist who handles Lupus) is hard as they are few. Another issue is the cost of such an appointment; each one may cost about 16 to 35 dollars, exclusive of the various tests you may need to run, which cost about 25 dollars per test.

How you can help sufferers.

• Lupus patients need someone at their side most times to comfort and help them adjust to the many changes that their diagnosis and treatments may bring. This help is especially needed when they’re experiencing flares (when their symptoms worsen).
• Learn more about lupus from trusted sources and try to be understanding when they’re exhibiting behavioural changes. 
• You could ask them for specific ways to support them by helping with hospital bills or driving them to appointments.
• Always check on them, as lupus can be a “lonely place” to be in.

Lupus patients may be going through a lot and finding it difficult to adjust to their new normal, but with help from their doctors, family, and friends, they can live life to the fullest of their ability.