IT HAS been on social media for some time. Sa mismong bibig na niya nanggaling ang pag-amin kung bakit nagtungo pa siya sa Singapore para magpagamot. Ngunit hindi masyadong pinansin at pinag-usapan. Siguro sawa na rin ang mga tao sa kaniyang mga pasabog tungkol sa kalusugan. Remember a few years ago, nang lumabas pa siya sa telebisyon para isiwalat na siya’y nahawa ng STD?
“But now I can tell you the truth, I’m allergic to every single medicine that can cure you or at least manage your symptoms kung may lupus ka. All my doctors are doing now is delaying it. They’re delaying the inevitable,” ayon sa post ng naturang celebrity.
Pero walang masyadong ingay at repost. Hindi na nga ba siya mahalaga sa madla, o hindi lang nauunawan ng karamihan kung ano ang Lupus?
ANO ANG S.L.E.?
Ang Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or more commonly called Lupus ay isang autoimmune disease. Ibig sabihin ay inaatake ng sariling ka-tawan ang sariling mga organ. Hanggang sa ngayon ay hindi pa matukoy ang tunay at nag-iisang dahilan nito kaya’t wala pa ring tunay na kagamutan.
Maaaring galing raw ito sa genes, toxic environment, chemicals, pag-abuso sa gamot, abnormalidad sa hormones at ang kadalasang salarin – stress. Mas madalas apektado rito ang kababaihan at lumalabas sa edad na 15 hanggang 40.
ILANG SINTOMAS NG LUPUS
The best way para mai-describe natin kung paano makikilala ang isang tao na may Lupus ay sa pamamagitan ng pictures na gamit ng mga doktor. Narito ang ilan hango sa WebMD:
Lupus Immune System
Lupus is a lifelong disorder of the immune system. Immune cells attack the body’s own healthy tissues, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Symptoms may be limited to the skin, but more often lupus also causes internal problems such as joint pain. In severe cases, it can damage the heart, kidneys, and other vital organs.
Lupus Skin Rash
A tell-tale sign of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and bridge of the nose. Other common skin problems include sensitivity to the sun with flaky, red spots or a scaly, purple rash on various parts of the body, including the face, neck, and arms. Some people also develop mouth sores.
Lupus Joint Pain
Joint and muscle pain is often the first sign of lupus.
This pain tends to occur on both sides of the body at the same time, particularly in the joints of the wrists, hands, fingers, and knees. The joints may look inflamed and feel warm to the touch. But unlike rheumatoid arthritis, lupus usually does not cause permanent joint damage.
Lupus Nails
Lupus can cause the nails to crack or fall off. They may be discolored with blue or reddish spots at the base. These spots are actually in the nail bed, the result of inflamed small blood vessels. Swelling may also make the skin around the base of the nail look red and puffy.
Lupus Fever and Fatigue
Most people with lupus experience some degree of fatigue. In many cases, it is severe enough to interfere with exercise and other daily activities. Most patients also run a low-grade fever from time to time. This unexplained fever may be the only warning sign in some people.
MGA SINTOMAS
- Lymphatics – pamamaga ng mga kulani
- Nervous system – pamamanhid at personality changes
- Digestive tract – sakit ng tiyan at pagsusuka
- Heart – pagkirot ng dibdib
- Lungs – hirap sa paghinga
- Skin – rashes sa buong katawan
- Kidneys – pagmamanas
- Hair – pagnipis ng buhok
- Eyes – madaling masilaw
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
To be diagnosed with lupus, one must have 4 out of 11 common signs of the disease. Pero para 
makasiguro ang duktor, may mga laboratory tests na maaaring ipagawa sa pasyente:
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
- CBC with differential
- Chest x-ray
- Urinalysis
- Coombs test
- ESR and CRP
- Kidney function blood tests
- Liver function blood tests
- Kidney biopsy
- CT Scan
TREATMENT FOR S.L.E.
There is no cure for Lupus. In fact maaari pa nga ito maging kumplikado gaya ng Lupus Nephritis at mangangailangan ng dialysis. The goal of treatment is just to control symptoms. Mild forms of the disease may be treated with NSAIDs for joint pains and low dose steroids, gaya ng prednisone. For more severe SLE, medications may include high-dose steroids at immunosuppressive drugs, gaya ng azathioprine at cyclophosphamide.
Ilan sa mga pasyente ay nangangailangan pa ng kidney transplant, gaya ng sikat na singer at dating GF ni Justin Bieber.
*Quotes
“There aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much, sis.” -Selena G, SLE (+) Kidney transplantee
oOo
Salamat po sa pagsubaybay sa ating artikulo tuwing Lunes. Para sa mga dagdag ninyong katanungan, maaari po kayong makinig sa DWIZ 882 khz every Sunday at 11am sa programang Kalusugang Ka-BILIB or text sa (0999) 414 5144 or visit our Facebook account: lebien medical wellness. God bless dear readers!
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