Friday, May 09, 2008

National Lupus Awareness Month



This is Naional Lupus Awareness Month and tomorrow is National Lupus Day. So many of you know my struggles and my fears that come along with this disease. Some of you have just heard the world. As tomorrow comes you may wake up and go about your day without thinking of Lupus, and I understand. But tomorrow when I get up I have to concetrate on walking, calming the pain, remembering my medication. I encourage you get more information on this disease.

Here are two things you can read & enjoy, the first is the spoon theory, it is a GREAT way to explain Lupus and two is something I copied this from the Lupus Foundation of America's blog... please read and enjoy.

Click HERE for Spoon Theory

May is National Lupus Awareness Month
Every day, 1.5 million Americans (enough people to fill thirty baseball stadiums) struggle with the often disabling and life-altering impact of lupus. Lupus is the result of an unbalanced immune system that can become destructive to any major organ or tissue in the body. Lupus is unpredictable and potentially fatal, yet no satisfactory treatment or cure exists.

Why is awareness of lupus important? To save lives! Consider these facts:


Lupus can attack the body for years before the disease is diagnosed. Symptoms of lupus mimic common illnesses and often are dismissed as nothing serious.

More than half of the people with lupus suffer four or more years and visit three or more doctors before receiving a correct diagnosis.

Awareness of lupus is lowest among women 18-24 –- the age group most likely to develop the disease.

Late diagnosis and delayed treatment contribute to poor outcomes and increased morbidity and mortality.

Lupus is a serious disease that can damage vital organs, such as the kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. The disease can cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks, miscarriages, and organ failure leading to significant disability or death.
But there is hope.

Early diagnosis and proper medical care greatly improve the quality of life for people with lupus. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) seeks to educate the public about early warning signs of lupus and all aspects of living and coping with the disease.

No comments: