A top Bahrain hospital is aiming to raise awareness of an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people globally.
Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs, and inflammation caused can affect many body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
The Royal Bahrain Hospital is organising the event at The Avenues Bahrain to mark Lupus Awareness Month.
It aims to bring together the hospital’s medical and nursing staff to support and educate people suffering from the disease or wanting to learn more about it.
The event features three stations for guests. The first defines Lupus, while the second includes information about its symptoms such as the various forms of rashes and ways to manage it. The third station includes a giveaway where participants can win prizes such as sunscreens.
People who suffer from Lupus should protect their skin as exposure to the sun can cause flare-ups.
More than five million people worldwide have some form of this disease.
“We are spreading awareness about Lupus as part of Lupus Awareness Month and want to talk about the symptoms that could be affecting people,” the hospital’s endocrinologist and internal consultant Dr Manar Altawash told the GDN on the sidelines of the event.
The most common signs and symptoms include fatigue, fever, joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Some people may experience shortness of breath, dry eyes, headaches, confusion and memory loss.
Dr Altawash said the booth has been decorated with the colour purple as it represents Lupus Awareness Month.
To ensure that all ages are included, a children’s area has been set up where the young can take part in colouring activities that educate them about the types of rashes that could form as a result of the disease.
The programme, which concludes today, is being held at The Avenues Bahrain Gate 1, from 10am to 10pm.
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