A DEBILITATING disease which can often go undiagnosed for years goes under the spotlight this month, with a drive to raise awareness of the condition.
Lupus is an illness of the immune system whereby the antibodies which usually fight infection and disease are over produced, causing inflammation almost anywhere in the body.
Some 50,000 people in the UK have the incurable disease ? but because it manifests itself differently from patient to patient, many cases can go undiagnosed.
Caroline Day of Whitchurch is the local contact for the Lupus UK organisation.
A sufferer of the disease for 14 years, she said there was a great need to increase awareness of the condition amongst the medical profession and the general public.
She has erected special stands in Lake?s Pharmacy, Tavistock Library and at the Abbey Surgery, giving information about the disease. She is also holding a fundraising curry lunch for Lupus sufferers in the area at the end of this month.
Caroline said she receives at least half a dozen phone calls every week from people with the condition.
?It?s a particularly isolating, depressing disease to have,? she said.
?The reason I became a contact for Lupus UK was because when I was diagnosed, there wasn?t anybody local I could talk to and when I was eventually able to walk properly again, I was determined to become a contact and at least help some people who have the disease.?
Lupus is not infectious or contagious.
It can be triggered in a variety of ways, including viral infection, sunlight, trauma or strong medication, but the main cause is hormonal activity and change.
Nine out of ten sufferers are female, usually between the age of 15 and 55.
The condition causes extreme tiredness and joint or muscle pain. Other symptoms include rashes, hair loss, aneamia, feverishness, mouth ulcers and depression.
Suffers and their families or anyone who is interested in learning more about Lupus can contact Caroline Day on 01822 617556.