Lupus patients can lead a “near normal” life and do all activities if they carry on with the treatment, a doctor said.
Lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system harms the tissues and organs.
Early diagnosis and early onset of treatment can achieve better results as it reduces the chance of the disease affecting the organs, said Narayan Banerjee, consultant physician at Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals.
“We have to keep the patients on immunosuppressants and steroids. The disease is not curable but it can be kept under control and the patient can lead a near-normal life. They can work and perform all kinds of activities,” Banerjee said.
An awareness programme about the disease was held at SSKM Hospital on Tuesday.
Banerjee said that more women get lupus than men. “A woman (with lupus) was present at SSKM Hospital on Tuesday who delivered a baby a month ago. She is leading a normal life,” said Banerjee.
Lupus patients experience three big problems. There is a social stigma associated with the disease because people think the person will not live for many days.
“This is not true if proper treatment is continued. The person has to be under treatment lifelong,” the doctors said.
The other factor is psychological — patients feel very low. The economic factor is also at play because the treatment has to go on.
Patient support groups where patients suffering from the disease for years can tell others their stories and thus inspire them are of great help.
There are no specific symptoms of lupus. Patients present themselves with fever, fatigue and pain in the joints. But if the disease progresses without any treatment it can affect the organs.
“Early diagnosis and early start of treatment are essential,” the doctor said.