Khaberni - The actress and singer Selena Gomez has been open about her experience living with lupus. Since 2015, Gomez has documented on social media and in interviews the impact of this condition on her health.
In 2017, the actress revealed that she had undergone a kidney transplant due to damage to one of her organs caused by lupus.
Earlier this month, Gomez stated in a podcast that she had developed arthritis associated with lupus symptoms.
According to "The Independent", Gomez's story has raised awareness of the widespread health effects associated with lupus. Yet, despite this, many people may not know exactly what lupus is - nor how it can have such far-reaching effects on the body.
What is lupus?
Estimates suggest that about 3.4 million people around the world suffer from lupus, an autoimmune disease, meaning that immune cells malfunction and attack parts of the body instead of potential pathogens, causing inflammation and damage.
According to "Medical Express", there are two common types of lupus: discoid lupus, which affects the skin, causing a painful rash.
The second is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a more severe condition that can affect multiple organs.
In the second type (systemic lupus erythematosus), immune cells target DNA, as well as proteins that help to coat DNA within the cell nucleus (information center).
This disrupted immune response allows the disease to affect nearly all the body's vital systems, including the skin, where a distinctive butterfly-shaped rash appears covering the nose and cheeks, in addition to the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, and joints.
Complications caused by the disease
Up to 95% of those with systemic lupus suffer from arthritis or joint pain. Fatigue and pain can significantly affect the quality of life of those with lupus.
Other, less common complications of lupus include an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers - the most common of which is lymphoma.
Who is most at risk?
The causes of lupus and the reasons for immune system dysfunction remain unknown. However, it is known that women are more susceptible to systemic lupus.
Estimates indicate that 90% of those suffering from lupus, in both its forms, are women. It is also more common among women of childbearing age.
Current research estimates that accurate diagnosis can take up to 5 years. This may lead to further organ damage and ultimately worse disease outcomes.
How is lupus treated?
Lupus is considered a chronic disease, but it can be managed with treatment. The disease is characterized by periods of flare-ups and remissions (where few symptoms appear).
The goal of treatment is to maintain disease remission. However, this can be a complex journey, and it may take time to find the right medication for the patient.
During flare-ups, symptoms are typically treated with steroids, which quickly weaken the immune system's functions, but long-term use can cause side effects, including changes in bone and eye health.
In addition to steroids, antirheumatic drugs are used to stop flare-ups and control inflammation induced by lupus.
The effectiveness of these medications is not universal for all patients, and some lupus treatments (especially a drug called cyclophosphamide) can also cause fertility issues, such as menstrual disorders and a decreased number of eggs in the ovaries.
