International Awareness Day For Chronic Immunological & Neurological Diseases
International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) is recognised on 12 May.
Affinity Health – providers of affordable health cover for all South African – shines a spotlight on CIND and the importance and potential benefits of early treatment.
Today is an important day. Not only does 12 May coincided with the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the English army nurse who inspired the founding of the International Red Cross, but also a day when the world takes note of the thousands of patients across the globe battling with CIND.
CIND is a term used to refer to a group of diseases affecting both the central nervous system and immune system.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Fibromyalgia (FM), Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), and Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) are collectively known as CIND.
- ME is a chronic, inflammatory, physically and neurological and immune-mediated disease that presents with symptoms involving multiple bodily systems. It is frequently triggered by a viral infection or a flu-like illness.
- FM is a chronic disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localised areas.
- MCS is an acquired, chronic, multi-system illness, in which people experience a range of symptoms in response to exposure to certain everyday chemicals.
- GWS is a term used for unexplained illnesses occurring in veterans of the 1991 Gulf War in Southwest Asia and includes a wide range of acute and chronic symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive problems, insomnia, rashes, and diarrhea.
Other illnesses that fall under the CIND umbrella include Addison’s, Alzheimer’s, Autism, Celiac, Chronic Myofascial Pain, Crohn’s, Epilepsy, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), Lou Gehrig’s (ALS), Lupus, Lyme Disease, Mold/Biotoxin Illness, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Orthostatic Intolerance (OI), Parkinson’s, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) andUlcerative Colitis.
“CIND affects people around the world in alarming numbers and causes debilitating symptoms and excruciating pain, impacting on daily living and functioning, as well as relationships and livelihoods,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.
“Despite huge leaps in research into CIND, this group of diseases remains challenging to diagnose, and scientists are still not sure about what causes them. It’s important that all South Africans are more aware of the disease and seek medical help and chat with their healthcare provider should they experience any symptoms that may indicate CIND. It’s also important for patients to explore the various medical treatment options available and lifestyle behavioural changes to reduce symptoms.”
Affinity Health is committed to assisting all its members with immunological and neurological diseases that require chronic medication. Affinity Health offers an optional chronic medication booster, with cover for over 23 different chronic conditions. Pre-Existing Conditions are subject to a 12 month waiting period from Commencement Date.
For more visit: www.affinityhealth.co.za