Medical experts have urged Nigerians not to ignore warning symptoms of health problems especially Lupus, but to seek medical help on time.
Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), is an inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues.
Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
The experts advocated more support for patients with lupus at an awareness parley in Lagos organised by the Lupus Remedies Global Support Foundation (LUREG) tagged, “A Journey to a Lupus free World”.
Speaking, the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Benjamen Olowojebutu, cautioned Nigerians against the notion that people with autoimmune diseases suffer from spiritual attacks.
Olowojebutu said that people must stop branding those suffering from such disease as “Ogbanje” or “Emere”.
He advised people suffering from autoimmune diseases to seek help.
The NMA boss called for early diagnosis and detection of lupus to help protect the patient before the case worsens.
He said: “I want people to know that they need to seek help on time.
” It is not ‘Ogbanje’ or ‘Emere’, when you see such symptoms on your body; see the specialist on time and do not wait until it affects other organs of the body.
“People do not get doctors involved on time till cases worsen.
“Many will say they are drinking “agbo” (herbal mixtures) because the symptoms are not the same.”
He said: “I am glad that we are having lupus supporting system in LUREG now, where people can come and share their experiences.
“Here, people encountering same health challenges will get encouraged.
“If anyone has any uncommon symptom that is not regular, such should see a specialist.
” It is not chemists or the herbal medicine that will help them.
“They must see a doctor so that they can start getting help and for support on time.”
According to him, lupus is more chronic with those within the young age bracket of 16 years and below.
Olowojebutu encouraged parents and care givers to do more in encouraging patients and creating friendly environment for them.
“Support is very key. Once the parents have lupus, their children can have neonatal autoimmune disease.
“It just affects the child and such becomes hypertensive at a very early age so they need a lot of support.
“They need a lot of counselling because it can lead to depression.
“In such situation, they need functional support system, adequate information, adequate nutrition and support from care givers and family.
“Families should not call them unusual names and government should support them with good laws because they are going through a lot,” he said.
Olowojebutu advised the nation and all communities to take special recognition of people with autoimmune disease, saying “we must start looking for them to give required support.”
Also speaking, Dr Henry Ekpenyong, Senior Registrar, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Rheumatology Unit, said that symptoms of lupus included skin rash, typhoid malaria syndrome, pregnancy loses and loss of hair.
Ekpenyong said that lupus could affect any organ of the body.
“You can have lupus manifest in any organ of the body from the hair, eyes, digestive systems and all.
“The onus lies on parents to observe the changes in their wards.
“The symptoms are slightly different with the paediatric SLE- those below 16 years old, even those in the neonatal period most times have blockage of the heart-it is a lupus symptom”.
Delivering a paper titled ‘Lupus a Long Disease, Treatment and Management at the forum, Dr Babatunde Oladayo, Senior Registrar Rheumatology, LASUTH, said that lupus disease had no cure and more severe with the blacks .
“Autoimmune diseases are more than 200. They can affect any part of the body.
“They are chronic diseases not acute diseases.
“Unfortunately, this diseases are lifelong diseases. Immune system to protect humans against diseases get overpowered.
“Childhood lupus, paediatric lupus, symptoms are very intense in children, posing damaging effects.
“Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), affect women more than men and those within the reproductive age group of life are the worse hit, majority of patients are spotted from puberty stage,” Olowojebutu said.
According to him, recent study shows a new dimension that the disease is more severe in blacks.
“The cause of the disease is not known till now and it has no cure, with many range of manifestations,” he said.
Earlier in her opening address, the Director of LUREG Support Foundation, Mrs Olubukola Sanusi, called on well-meaning Nigerians and government to give more support to lupus patients.
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“I am a champion of systemic lupus erythematosus-an inflammatory disease for 12 months, caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues, it has no cure.
” Lupus SLE can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, cells, brain, heart and lungs.
“I have already given up, but thanks to those with lupus who pulled through and who are very close to my doctors.
“My case is like one having 200 whitlows breathing at the same time with sudden pains, I suffer stiffness issues often and rashes.
“Our case is peculiar, we cannot eat for long, stand too much or sleep for long. I must not sleep for four hours at a stretch.
“We hurt easily and forgive easily, LUPUS rediscovered me, I knew what it means and choose not remain in pain,” Sanusi said.
She urged patients to speak out so as to get solution and support in time.
A lupus patient, Miss Morenikeji Akanni, graduate of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), while narrating her ordeal said: “I was living my normal life before lupus took me.
“I was involved in almost all athletic activities, but later discovered that I get tired easily coupled with joint pains.
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