The St. Lucia Arthritis and Lupus Association will be hosting its 5thAnnual Lupus Awareness Seminar after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. The aim of this seminar has always been to strengthen the ability of health professionals to identify signs and symptoms of lupus early so that diagnosis and treatment can be done in a timely fashion to reduce complications and mortality.
Lupus is a disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
While lupus can strike anyone at any time, 90% of people living with lupus are females between the ages of 15 and 44. Women of colour are also more affected and tend to have more severe disease. Common symptoms include:
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes
- Headaches and hair loss
- Mouth or nose ulcers
- Butterfly shaped rashes across cheeks and nose
- Abnormal blood clotting
- Sunlight sensitivity
- Swelling in feet, legs, hand and around the eyes
- Painful or swollen joints
- Fever and extreme fatigue
Common lupus triggers include sunlight, stress, viruses, illnesses, pregnancy and childbirth.
May is Lupus Awareness Month, and this is when extra effort is put into education about the disease and promoting awareness.
The 5th Lupus Awareness Seminar will be held at The Financial Centre, Pointe Seraphine, on Saturday June 1st (today), from 8:00 a.m. under the theme ‘Let’s Make Lupus Visible’. There will be presentations in the fields of Nephrology, Gynaecology, Dentistry, Gastroenterology, Psychology, Nutrition, Pharmacology and Dermatology. The seminar is geared towards healthcare workers, patients and the public. It presents an opportunity for clinicians to update their knowledge and skills in the different ways lupus can affect the body and equip them to better care for those diagnosed with the disease. It allows those living with lupus to learn more about how they can improve their quality of life. We hope that increased knowledge will help change the attitude to the disease and improve the outcomes for many persons living with lupus.
There are other ways for the public and corporations to show support. A summer basket will be raffled as one of the fundraising activities. Activities will culminate with a walk for lupus (‘Strides for Lupus’) on Sunday June 9th in support of all lupus warriors.
Persons can also contact the SLALA office for registration for the seminar or walk at [email protected] or 486-7000. Registration can also be done at Bay Medical Centre (Tapion) and Dr. Downes’ office (Blue Coral). Please follow SLALA on Instagram @slala.slu and on Facebook.
The St. Lucia Arthritis and Lupus Association is committed to supporting and improving the lives of persons living with this autoimmune condition.