October is regarded as Breast Cancer Awareness Month but not many people are aware that it's also Lupus Awareness Month.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs.
According to Lupus Canada, more than five million people worldwide live with lupus and each year over a hundred thousand young women, men and children are newly diagnosed with it. The great majority of women are of 25-35 age group. The fact that women are considerably more likely to develop lupus than men suggests that hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, play a key role in the immune system. Men and women both produce estrogen but the estrogen production is much greater in females.
Ferzana Gillani, who was diagnosed with Lupus in 2008, struggled to find relevant information on the triggers that made it impossible to deal with the disease. As a result, she decided to pen down her own trials and tribulations in form of a book to create awareness and help people deal with the disease.
"I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus after a turbulent year filled with confusion in my body. My symptoms came to a head when I took vaccinations in preparation for a trip to Africa and then spent three weeks under the African sun. I returned home to a confirmed diagnosis of lupus and spent a turbulent few months trying to make sense of the drastic changes that were happening to me.
When I first heard of my diagnosis I felt extremely vulnerable, broken, lost and helpless. I desperately looked for messages of inspiration and hope as far as my new diagnosis was concerned but I was unsuccessful." says Ferzana.
It's generally believed that lupus is caused by alterations in the immune system.The body's immune system normally fights foreign bacteria and viruses. However, with lupus, the immune system may fail to recognize 'self' substances and produces antibodies that attack the body's own tissue.
Ferzana talks about her inspiration to write the book, "I promised myself that I would be a message of hope to anyone who is newly diagnosed and /or living with lupus since I was so unsuccessful in looking for positive messages when I was first diagnosed. I felt so blessed to have had the resources I had around me that taught me so much about the aspects of lupus, the human body, the triggers that cause inflammation, how to maintain balance between the body, mind and spirit, how to overcome the negative and dwell in the positive and how to live the best life I have ever lived: one of mindfulness (as opposed to restriction); one of confidence, empowerment and one where I am an active participant in making decisions towards my wellbeing and inevitably taking control back into my own hands.
As a result I wrote the book Lupus: My Constant Companion and Greatest Inspiration which includes my entire journey of living with lupus, including the challenges and the inspirations that have now enabled me to live a mindful life."
The book is now available on amazon in Paperback- $19.99 USD and Kindle – $12.99 USD version.
By sharing her journey, she hopes others can avoid the fear, panic, confusion and despair that often comes with this diagnosis.
"I hope to be that message of inspiration and hope that I looked for, unsuccessfully, when I was first diagnosed," Ferzana concludes.
Kudos to Ferzana for writing the inspirational book and for those of you do pick up a copy, please do tweet us how it impacted your life after reading.
Source & Images: Ferzana Gillani, http://bodyandhealth.canada.com
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Bestie Roommate Is A Nightmare
-
Pride 2023: Why Is India's Supreme Court Taking So Long To Legalize Same Sex Marriage?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Love Constantly Wants To Be With Me And I'm Exhausted
-
The Coronation Of King Charles III Was A Global Desi Affair
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My In-Laws Introduces Our Kids As Their "Adopted" Grandkids
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Office Romance Wants To Keep Us A Secret
-
The Dishes That Asha Bhosle Wants You To Try At Her Resto Asha's In Dubai
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Rude Friend Is Mortifying!
-
Tour The World At Dubai's Amazing Global Village
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I Had A Miscarriage And Our Family's "Be Grateful" Sentiments Really Hurt
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Underage Nephew Expects Me To Buy Booze For Him
-
Warm Up To The Fusion Delights Of Ushna in Dubai
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Boyfriend Is Pressuring Me To Attend His Sister's Wedding But I Can't Afford It
-
IWD 2023: 11 Inspirational Quotes From Powerful South Asian Women
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My In-Laws Are Giving Me The Cold Shoulder
-
7 South Asian Female Fitness Pros Who Will Level Up Your Workouts
