Getting To Know Lupus, A Vulnerable Autoimmune Disease Found In Girls

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of the body. (Freepic)

JAKARTA Lupus has long been a problem both in Indonesia and in the world. This disease is not known for sure what the cause is, so it cannot be cured but can be minimized.

Lupus comes from Latin, which means wolf. This is because the redness rash on the face of a lupus sufferer resembles a wolf bite.

As reported by World Lupus Day, lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of the body, including joints, skin, blood, and even vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and lungs.

"Autoimmune is the failure of the immune system to recognize itself, thus causing the production of antibodies that actually attack itself," said Dr. Reni Ghrahani Dewi Majangsari.

Lupus disease affects many girls, especially aged 11-12 years, with a ratio of 9:1 to boys. (Freepik)

Lupus can attack anyone and the cause is unknown. Usually lupus is found in patients with genetic susceptibility and environmental or infection factors are triggered.

So far it is not clear how many people are lupus (odapus) in Indonesia because the epidemiological data does not yet exist. The forecast for the number of new cases or global lupus incidents reaches 400,000 people per year.

Estrogen Hormone Factor

This disease is commonly found in adult patients, but does not rule out the possibility of being found in pediatric patients.

"Usually lupus in children has more severe signs and symptoms than lupus in adult patients," said Dr. Reni again.

Based on research, the majority of lupus diseases that attack children are experienced by girls. The comparison rate is even quite significant compared to boys, which is nine to one. Teenagers 11-12 years old are among the most people with lupus disease.

Lupus disease in children can be indicated, one of which is that children often have fever, which is missing. In addition, children often look pale, and often treated for prolonged fever can also be a characteristic of lupus.

Other symptoms experienced by lulluas sufferers are weight loss, fatigue, joint pain, and redness on the skin due to exposure to the sun and recurrence of sariawan.

Screenshot of Dr. Reni Ghrahani Dewi Majangsari gave a presentation at a virtual seminar entitled "Lupus in Children". (VOI/Dewi)

"Children also seem tired for no apparent reason, can experience weight loss, and hair loss," said Dr. Reni in an online seminar entitled "Lupus on Children" organized by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI).

Girls are more at risk to lupus due to the presence of hormone estrogen. Estrogen is a type of female sex hormone produced by ovarians. These hormones function to regulate menstrual cycles, support healthy pregnancy, and help maintain heart health.

"Indeed, hormonal factors, especially estrogen, play a large role in the occurrence of lupus disease. Because the hormone estrogen will increase the inflammatory factor, it will trigger inflammation in children who have the potential or suffer from lupus disease," Dr. Reni explained.

"Then there may also be a slowdown in rejuvenation growth, or it's too late," he added.

Based on the website of the Ministry of Health, the increasing growth rate of lupus disease before menstruation period or during pregnancy supports the allegation that hormones, especially estrogen and prolactin, are the originators of lupus disease.

Incurable

Can lupus be cured? The assumption that lupus can be completely cured is a myth. One fact from lupus is that this disease cannot completely heal. In other words, the sufferer must be side by side with lupus for life.

However, lupus disease can be controlled. Doctors will also usually take care to reduce the risk of relapse of lupus symptoms. Patients with lupus are also advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as dealing with stress appropriately, exercising regularly, avoiding direct sun exposure, maintaining a healthy diet, and regularly taking doctor medication.

In addition, lupus also does not include infectious diseases, so the sufferer cannot transmit lupus through direct physical contact. But this disease can be taken down from the family so it still needs to be watched out for.

Despite the fact that lupus cannot be cured, people with lupus can still undergo their daily activities normally. Even so, regular monitoring and routine treatment are needed. The biggest obstacle for lupus sufferers is precisely from themselves, this disease will be even more common if the sufferer does not have hope and enthusiasm.