Lupus, a serious disease we know so little about

Mariselle Stofberg
Jamé-lee Benade



What do you know about lupus? Majority of Namibians aged 18-34 have either not heard of the disease or know nothing about it other than the name, despite the fact for the condition. Selena Gomez, a celebrity, many of us look up to and admire announced she had been diagnosed with the condition in her late teens and she also underwent treatment. Everyone is opportunistic to this disease. Not many Namibians are aware of this disease and they do not know that its especially common in women. But what exactly is lupus? What are its complications? Lupus is defined as a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces auto-antibodies that attack health cells and tissues, including those of the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. While the exact cause of lupus is unclear, the disease can be triggered by certain environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight, stress and smoking. Pregnancy is also a common trigger for the condition among women. Since lupus is most common amongst women during childbearing years, internet states that researchers speculate that the female hormone estrogen may play a role in disease development. Fun fact, it is suspected that lupus development may be influenced by certain genes, though researchers believe it is unlikely that genes alone trigger the disease, but that it is rather a combination of factors. Another thing we should know is that there isn’t just one type of lupus disease. There are many different forms and the most common of these is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) accounting for around 70% of all cases. In SLE any part of the body can be affected, though around 80% of cases involve the skin. Symptoms of SLE are common such as chest pain, fever, hair loss, anemia and skin rash – most commonly a butterfly-shaped rash that spans the cheeks and bridge of the nose. Dr. Susan Manzi, co-director of a Lupus Center of Excellence explains: “One of the greatest mysteries of lupus is that it affects different people in different ways – no two cases are exactly like alike. This disparity makes lupus one of the most difficult diseases for physicians to diagnose, treat and manage.”

In our town, Walvis Bay, residents participated in a walk to support people afflicted with lupus disease on Friday, 10 May 2019 organised by a resident and mother of a lupus warrior; Jessica Swartbooi and her daughter Jayda Uiras. Uiras, who is a grade eight learner at our school SS De Duine says she was diagnosed with lupus in April 2015 at the age of nine years. She says she had absolutely no comprehension about the disease, it was something new to both her and her mother. She also has the common lupus disease known as SLE. It was very difficult for her with her still being in school and the effects were drastic to her. Uiras states that her brain had shrunk and she could not remember majority of events, say about 80% of it. She had to adapt with the new medication use starting from 17 different tablets a day where she came down to six pills a day. She had to get use to being in hospitals on a monthly basis. Currently she isn’t encountering any challenges whilst in high school and she continues as normal even though it was very hectic for her the first two years. Uiras’ mother was very shocked when she found out what lupus is and that her daughter had it. She didn’t take it up lightly and it was very difficult for her but with the help and support of her parents she could cope. The grandparents were very positive and spiritually motivated. Uiras says she would create awareness by planning enlightening events in a comfortable learning space. Jayda Uiras says that her message to everyone suffering from lupus disease should never give up. They should stand up against lupus so that it can’t get them under and THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER UNTIL YOU AS A LUPUS WARRIOR HAS WON!