Lupus Awareness Month – Lupus is an incurable immune system condition that is assumed to be genetic and mainly affects females.  The condition shares a lot of symptoms in common with other conditions; with lupus signs including rashes, depression, anaemia, headaches and mouth ulcers.

Lupus UK, are trying to raise awareness of lupus with Lupus Awareness Month.  Due to the overlap with other conditions many GPs may not recognise the symptoms as lupus at first.

It is estimated that 50,000 people in the UK have lupus but many are undiagnosed and simply powering through the effects of the condition. However, joint pain, muscle pain and extreme tiredness will not go away no matter how much you rest.   It can also affect vital organs.   So it is important to raise awareness and get people diagnosed.

Lupus causes are varied and include a viral infection, trauma and environmental factors such as sunlight.

I’ve had some of the above symptoms at one time or another so I don’t know how many people out there may be dismissing them as symptoms of feeling rundown, overworked or stressed.  But, whatever the case it’s really important that if things are going unexplained you go and get the checked out.

Lupus UK is encouraging us to get our GP practices, health centres, local hospitals and our workplaces to display information and posters to help raise awareness of the condition.

Alternatively, why not arrange a Lunch4Lupus during Lupus Awareness Month this October and instead of guests bringing you a gift, ask them to make a donation  to Lupus UK.  You could host an extra special dinner party and have a raffle or an auction to raise lots of well needed funds for Lupus UK.  Or why not sell some of your unused items on ebay and donate the money from any sales to this cause.