Within the framework of World Lupus Day (May 10), the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Oaxaca, through the headquarters of the Medical Benefit Services, participates in this commemoration, which aims to raise awareness and inform the public of the existence of the said disease. to inform about. Disease.
Lupus is characterized by being an autoimmune condition, that is, the immune system attacks and damages the body’s own healthy organs and tissues; In addition, it attacks the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.
It can be difficult to detect, as the symptoms that occur are similar to those of other diseases and can vary from person to person.
There are different types of lupus: Systematic erythematosus is the most common, it can be mild or severe, it attacks different parts of the body; induced are caused by certain drugs and disappear when these are discontinued; Discoid causes skin rashes that do not go away; Subacute cutaneous causes blisters after exposure to the sun. However, the least common is neonatal and probably the cause which affects some newborns may be some antibodies from the mother.
Dr. Ulises Velasco Tobón, rheumatologist at the Hospital General de Zona (HGZ) No. 1, explained that lupus can affect anyone between the ages of 15 and 45, but it is more common in women.
People with lupus are at risk of heart, kidney, and cerebrovascular disease; Also, they may suffer from atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries.
Similarly, the IMSS doctor commented that in some people lupus causes inflammation of the heart or the membrane around it; For its part, endocarditis damages the valves of the heart and causes heart palpitations.
If the disease affects the kidneys, patients often require intensive drug treatment to prevent permanent damage. Lupus can also attack the brain or central nervous system, causing seizures or stroke.
Velasco Tobón also indicated that having lupus increases the risk of infection, cancer, death of bone tissue, and complications in pregnancy.
Therefore, the IMSS urges the population to visit their nearest Family Medicine Unit (UMF) if they suffer from joint pain or swelling for several weeks; fever without any reason; skin rash, especially on the face and in the form of a butterfly; hair loss; sun sensitivity; Fatigue and weight loss.
In order to timely detect lupus or any other disease and to be able to offer adequate treatment to control the condition and improve the quality of life of sufferers, in case of presenting symptoms Going to the doctor is important.
