Mysore/Mysuru: Manipal Hospital, Mysuru, took an initiative and organised an awareness programme on lupus disease, where a group of 40 participants assembled to share their experience of facing and living with autoimmune disease.

The programme was conducted recently at the hospital and it was a patient-focused event to increase awareness about the incurable autoimmune disease lupus among affected individuals and people having similar symptoms.

In this disease, body’s own immune system affects the skin, kidney, heart, blood cells and lungs, etc. which can only be managed with medication but cannot be cured. Many patients came forward and expressed their journey with lupus disease.

Dr. Sangeetha, Consultant Rheumatologist, Manipal Hospital, Mysuru, believes that people should significantly strengthen their knowledge of how their body functions. The doctor emphasised and gave an overview of the incurable chronic autoimmune disease lupus.

Lupus is caused due to disrupted immune system attacking bodies own cells. She also educated the patients about the consequences of neglecting the symptoms that may affect all the other organs in the body and lead to life-threatening conditions.

People were advised to pay attention to the butterfly-shaped rash, appearing on the cheeks and nasal bridge predominantly, which worsens on exposure to the sun, as it is the earlier sign of the autoimmune disease lupus in most patients.

The doctor further inculcated the patients about the treatment and avoiding exposure to the sun, avoidance of consumption of oestrogen-containing contraceptive pills, smoking and stress.

Steroids, Hydroxychloroquine, Immunomodulators and immunosuppressants in case of life-threatening diseases, calcium, aspirin and Vitamin-D supplements form major part of the treatment for lupus.

Patients suffering from lupus shared their experiences and motivated each other on the journey of unexpected disease conditions. Their experiences were full of adversity and pain during hope and determination to triumph over frightening the odds.

The programme elevated the patient’s spirit to live a normal life and they felt that they were not alone in the battle of life. Patients expressed themselves openly without any hindrance and supported each other on the journey.

Patients and their family members were taken on a hospital tour to introduce them to the state-of-the-art facilities on par with global standards.

Lupus can be genetic but earlier detection and treatment helps in the management of the disease. There is hope, as people are living and managing lupus for more than 40 years of their life. A thorough understanding of the disease may help people to manage it well and increase their life expectancy. The programme was a grand success as patients actively participated and left with elevated spirits.