World Lupus Day 2012
I already did this last year, but it bears annual repeating. May 10 is World Lupus Day. And I think it's only appropriate to spread the word.
Thankfully, I don't suffer from lupus, but I come in contact with it every day at work. Lupus is actually a visually not very obvious but still very debilitating disease that can hit with a multitude of symptoms and manifestations. As the flyer above says, it affects many organs, and patients usually die from some kind of organ damage that in most cases is irreversible and worsens over time. It is estimated that up to 5 million people suffer from some form of lupus worldwide. 90% of lupus patients are women.
Lupus usually comes and goes, with quiescent phases and those where symptoms appear or worsen (the latter of which is called a "flare"). The cornerstone of lupus treatment is still long-term therapy with corticosteroids, which have rather serious side effects and, if at all possible, should not be taken over longer periods of time. Unfortunately, often these patients have no other choice. Until recently, the only alternatives were treatment with antimalarials and/or immunosuppressants, which in terms of side effects are hardly any better.
Advances are being made in the field of lupus research every day, but a cure is not quite on the horizon yet. Too little is known about the molecular processes in the body and what exactly it is that disrupts the patients' immune system. All we can do at present is treat the symptoms and make the patients' lives a little easier. Research in treating patients with biologics is on the rise, and last year Benlysta, a monoclonal antibody drug and the first new lupus drug in nearly 50 years, has been approved by the FDA and the EMA. Other drugs are being developed and are in various stages of clinical trials. One can only hope that one day, someone will make a breakthrough and find the root of the evil and cure the disease altogether. (And I can't help quoting David Sandström from ReGenesis here, cause, "Some pretty cool shit happens by accident.")
Interesting story to note, Lucy who inspired the Beatles song 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' was a friend of John Lennon's son Julian, and Lucy suffered (and eventually died) from lupus. You can read more about it at www.worldlupusday.com. And also, if you like, help spread the word!
Thankfully, I don't suffer from lupus, but I come in contact with it every day at work. Lupus is actually a visually not very obvious but still very debilitating disease that can hit with a multitude of symptoms and manifestations. As the flyer above says, it affects many organs, and patients usually die from some kind of organ damage that in most cases is irreversible and worsens over time. It is estimated that up to 5 million people suffer from some form of lupus worldwide. 90% of lupus patients are women.
Lupus usually comes and goes, with quiescent phases and those where symptoms appear or worsen (the latter of which is called a "flare"). The cornerstone of lupus treatment is still long-term therapy with corticosteroids, which have rather serious side effects and, if at all possible, should not be taken over longer periods of time. Unfortunately, often these patients have no other choice. Until recently, the only alternatives were treatment with antimalarials and/or immunosuppressants, which in terms of side effects are hardly any better.
Advances are being made in the field of lupus research every day, but a cure is not quite on the horizon yet. Too little is known about the molecular processes in the body and what exactly it is that disrupts the patients' immune system. All we can do at present is treat the symptoms and make the patients' lives a little easier. Research in treating patients with biologics is on the rise, and last year Benlysta, a monoclonal antibody drug and the first new lupus drug in nearly 50 years, has been approved by the FDA and the EMA. Other drugs are being developed and are in various stages of clinical trials. One can only hope that one day, someone will make a breakthrough and find the root of the evil and cure the disease altogether. (And I can't help quoting David Sandström from ReGenesis here, cause, "Some pretty cool shit happens by accident.")
Interesting story to note, Lucy who inspired the Beatles song 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' was a friend of John Lennon's son Julian, and Lucy suffered (and eventually died) from lupus. You can read more about it at www.worldlupusday.com. And also, if you like, help spread the word!