Lupus Awareness Month: Pensacola, Florida, Group Steps Up for the Cause

The Lupus Support Network of Northwest Florida is getting ready for October. This year, getting information to the public is more important than ever. To this end, the network is offering businesses the opportunity to show their support in a very visible way. Orange ribbons are available to businesses to display on their front doors. Posters and literature about lupus, along with small lapel pins for employees, are included in the kit. The more these ribbons are seen, the more questions will be asked about this debilitating disease.

Lupus has been affecting people for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, modern medicine has still not been able to find a cure. Treatment varies from patient to patient just like the symptoms due. Basically, there are two forms of lupus - systemic and discoid. Discoid lupus affects the skin and may cause a disc shaped rash over a large part of the upper body. This type of lupus is not as dangerous as systemic lupus is even though it may cause scarring.

Systemic lupus, on the other hand, can attack joints and/or major organs. This disease is as individual as each patient's personality. One thing that is common to all is the pattern of remission and flares. Most patients have periods that are, for the most part symptom free followed by a period when the symptoms are more active.

Research is ongoing but to those who have either suffered for years or those recently diagnosed it seems to be too little too late. Various treatments are available, but because of the individuality of lupus, you may go through a period of trial to find the right combination of medications that works on your lupus. Also, because lupus is an autoimmune disease, patients may be more susceptible to infection.

The Lupus Support Network, whose home base is in Pensacola, will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year. Since 1981, this organization has worked to make the lives of lupus patients in their area easier. From Pensacola, Florida to Mobile, Alabama and north to Tallahassee, Florida and Brewton, Alabama the Network provides not only information about lupus, but has support groups throughout their coverage area. They provide a newsletter during the year keep supporters informed about the latest in possible medications, information in general and basic emotional support. In this writer's opinion, the biggest service they provide is a voice on the other end of phone that understands what you are going through.

No matter where you live, there is a lupus support group in your area. If you live on the Gulf Coast and have any general questions about lupus, please contact The Lupus Support Network @ www.lupuspensacola.com or info@lupuspensacola.com. If you or a family member thinks that they may have lupus, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Education and information is the key to treating and maybe finding a cure for lupus and many other diseases. If you or your business is in the area, please obtain and display your orange ribbon proudly. The Lupus Support Network and all those involved thank you. Let us turn the Gulf Coast Orange this October. Let's work toward a cure.