Snakes, Ladders and Butterflies -A Brief account about Lupus | Dr. Liza Rajasekhar | TEDxAIIMSRaipur

"Snakes and Ladders - A Brief Account About Lupus" is an analogy that illustrates the unpredictable nature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus. In this analogy, the game of Snakes and Ladders represents the ups and downs of living with lupus.
Just like in the game, where players climb ladders (representing periods of good health and remission) and slide down snakes (symbolizing disease flares and setbacks), lupus patients experience fluctuating health. Symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, skin rashes, and organ inflammation can appear suddenly (sliding down a snake) or subside temporarily (climbing a ladder).
The analogy also highlights the unpredictability and challenges of managing lupus, as patients may experience periods of relative stability followed by sudden exacerbations. This rollercoaster of symptoms underscores the importance of regular medical monitoring, personalized treatment plans, and support networks to navigate the complexities of living with lupus.
Overall, "Snakes and Ladders - A Brief Account About Lupus" serves as a poignant comparison that helps others understand the daily realities and uncertainties faced by individuals living with this autoimmune condition. Dr. Liza Rajasekhar has taken charge as Dean of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences on 17th June,2023. Her MBBS training was at Kolkata Medical College during which she received many awards including the prestigious Jagdish Bose National Sciences Talent Scholarship. She completed her post-graduation in MD (Internal Medicine) and Senior Residency in Rheumatology from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. After joining the institute in 1998 as Assistant Professor in General Medicine, she did Laboratory Research Fellowship in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao Yuan, Taiwan. She returned to NIMS in 2002 and since then has served the institute in the capacity of faculty, Convenor of Examinations, Head of the Department and the Associate Dean-Academics.
As Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology since 2012, she has built up patient services, student training and research to a high standard of credibility. The department now trains four Rheumatologists per year. Her students are encouraged to improve their core skills while developing confidence to deal with the many challenges of their chosen field. Patients visiting the department feel empowered to deal with their illness. She has published more than 60 research articles in national and international journals and has numerous investigator initiated and industry sponsored research projects for studying lupus, myositis, primary immune deficiency disorders and new drugs in the field of rheumatology. Using her vast experience of working with limited resources, she is committed to bringing to patients the best medical technology in tertiary care.
She is passionate about enabling each individual to realize their potential. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx