Letter of the Day | Let’s join hands in the fight against lupus
Published:Monday | May 13, 2024 | 12:07 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Disturbingly, Jamaica has one of the highest rates of lupus worldwide, with thousands of Jamaicans affected by this serious and lifelong, and in some cases life-threatening autoimmune disease. Lupus continues to be one of those medical conditions shrouded in mystery. Yet, millions of people globally are impacted and affected by lupus. The treatment for lupus is also very expensive even with health insurance. World Lupus Day is an important annual observance held on May 10. This year’s theme, ‘Make Lupus Visible’, emphasises the crucial need to raise awareness and visibility of lupus on a global scale. It calls for increased recognition of the challenges faced by those living with lupus and the urgent need for broader understanding and support.
The day is set aside to raise awareness about lupus and show support for those who are living with it, as well as lessen the stigma and misconceptions associated with the disease. According to the Online Source, WedMD, the symptoms of lupus vary from one person to another. Some people have just a few symptoms, while others have many. Lupus can affect any part of your body. Common symptoms include: A butterfly-shaped rash across your cheeks and nose (malar rash), which may appear dark purple or dark brown on dark skin but red or pink on light skin, sensitivity to the sun or other lights. Achy joints (arthralgia). The prognosis of lupus is better today than ever before. With close follow-up and treatment, 80-90 per cent of people with lupus can expect to live a normal lifespan. It is true that medical science has not yet developed a method for curing lupus, and some people do die from the disease. However, for the majority of people living with the disease today, it will not be fatal.
While lupus is a widespread disease, awareness of the disease lags behind many other illnesses. It is estimated that 63 per cent of people surveyed have never heard of lupus or know little or nothing about this disease and its symptoms beyond the name, indicating there is significant opportunity and need for continued public education. The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica is a member-sponsored, volunteer-run, organisation in operation since 1984, dedicated to improve the lives and outcomes of persons affected by lupus through information, education, advocacy and support. Lupus occurs mostly in young women, at an average age of 22 years. People from African descent living in the Caribbean and North America have the highest prevalence of Lupus. For lupus patients, it is very important to pay attention to diet along with lifestyle. Delay in making the diagnosis may result in permanent severe organ disease.
We all can assist the global lupus community by sharing stories, reaching out to policymakers, sharing lupus facts and awareness on social media.
WAYNE CAMPBELL