Dubai Walkathon: This February, Walk for Arthritis Along Creek Park

21 Feb Dubai Walkathon: This February, Walk for Arthritis Along Creek Park

The Middle East Arthritis Foundation is organising Walk for Arthritis 2020 on Friday, 21st February 2020. Learn how you can participate and support this cause

1in 5 people in the UAE and more than 50 million people worldwide live with arthritis. The disease, an inflammation of the joints, affects people of all ages, from six-month old babies to seniors. In order to raise awareness of this common health condition and improve lives, the Middle East Arthritis Foundation (MEAF) is organising an arthritis awareness walkathon. Walk for Arthritis 2020 will be held in Dubai on Friday, 21st February 2020. Backed by Dubai Municipality, the event is open to the public and will be held along Dubai Creek Park for 3.5 kilometres. Apart from the participants, specialist doctors will also be present during the walkathon to help bust myths about bone health and share details on symptoms of arthritis to help with early detection.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Consultant Rheumatologist and Founding Member of MEAF, Dr Humeira Badsha said, “This walkathon for arthritis patients helps us break the myth that such patients cannot lead a normal life and also acts as a great plateau buster for them to renew their motivation, build camaraderie with other patients and caregivers who are there to extend their complete support. With the right knowledge and lifestyle, one won’t just manage his/her arthritis, but will thrive in spite of it.” 

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis. Common symptoms include pain, joint stiffness and swelling. According to some estimates, around 20 percent of the population in the Gulf Region has some form of arthritis. In general, around 60 percent of the people with rheumatoid arthritis, who do not receive the correct treatment, are unable to work ten years after its onset. If people are introduced to the right exercise and weight loss programmes, they can manage this condition and may be able to avoid going through surgery.