By Amina Abdul Salam The Egyptian League Against Rheumatism (ELAR), which comprises five associations concerned with rheumatism, held its sixth conference in Cairo recently. Dr Mohamed Elwi, the chairman, pointed out that Egyptians are often affected by knee osteoarthritis due to wrong ways of sitting and avoiding exposure to the sun's rays. New generations of young people, however, have realised the importance of sports and exposure to the sun's rays. Dr Elwi stressed the need to avoid becoming overweight and not carry heavy things adding that psychological comfort is essential to strengthen the immune system and resistance to illnesses. Dr Amal el-Ganzouri, Professor of Rheumatism and Rehabilitation, said that new studies haven't yet found efficient therapies for the treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can occur as a result of avoiding sports. Children can also be harmed by diseases such as lupus that is attributed to genetic factors. Dr el-Ghanzouri stresses the need to test bone density and take calcium and vitamin D. She said there are new medications available to be taken every three months to reduce osteoporosis and also reduce the rate of bone fractures occurring in children. She recommends that mothers encourage their children to practise sports regularly and eat fish, dairy products, mushrooms and food rich in vitamin D. Dr Ahmed Ibrahim, Professor of Physical Medicine and Rheumatism at Demerdash Hospital, said that the conference tackled the latest developments in research results in different fields linked to rheumatic diseases. It also looked at upgrading vocational development through organising workshops as well as boosting co-operation with regional and international associations concerned with rheumatic diseases by exchanging information with them. He said that lupus is a self- immune disease because the immune system attacks the healthy tissues in different parts of the body by mistake. In other words, the body attacks itself due to unknown reasons. Symptoms include pains in the chest, hair loss, mouth ulcers, fatigue, a red rash on the face which represents the most common symptom in this domain, and kidney diseases. It is believed that smoking and lack of vitamin D also increase the disease symptoms, says Dr Ibrahim. Lupus, he said, affects women more than men and the treatment is determined according to each case separately.
