Doctors and medical professionals from around the region meet to discuss the latest developments

Entitled: 'Paradigms in Allergy: Changes in the Modern World' and "Achieve More in Life with Rheumatic Diseases' management" both symposia will address the issues of disease management. Given that early detection, sound diagnosis and disciplined remedy application (all at attainable costs) will greatly improve a patient's lifestyle, the main objective becomes to create awareness about the diseases to enable early detection.

Schering Plough, a global pharmaceutical company with leading health products in the field of Allergy, Dermatology and Rheumatology, is hosting both events.

Chairing the Allergy symposium, Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman, Consultant Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Dubai Hospital, commeted: "raising awareness about asthma and allergy will greatly assist patients, especially the young, in gaining a better lifestyle. Today, thanks to advances in research and medical application methods, allergy symptoms can be managed on a daily basis without discomfort or any changes in the patient's normal life routine."

Allergic rhinitis - also called hay fever or nasal allergies - is a collection of symptoms, predominantly in the nose and eyes that occur after exposure to particles of dust, or the pollens of certain seasonal plants. Symptoms typically include sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, and an itchy nose. Allergic rhinitis may be seasonal or perennial.

Studies show that the prevalence of diagnosed asthma and allergic rhinitis amongst school' children in the United Arab Emirates were 13.6 percent and 22.9 percent respectively. Given that asthma and allergies can greatly affect the way children play, what they eat or how they study, identifying and diagnosing allergic symptoms - which in many cases are very similar cold or flu symptoms - at an early stage is essential. With guidance from a medical professional, managing and curing the allergies becomes an easier task.

Other international and regional experts speaking at the symposium include: Dr. Glenis Scadding - UK and Dr. Torsten Zuberbier - Germany, Dr. Osman Yusuf Chief Consultant Allergy & Asthma Clinics - Pakistan, Dr. Ahmed Hondoussa, ENT Consultant - Qatar, Dr. Hussein Abdul Dayem, Dr. Faheem Tadros and Dr. Tamer Adham - UAE.

Simultaneously another important symposium on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) will be held in Dubai. RA is a chronic, progressive disease in which the body's immune system attacks joints, causing hot, painful swelling and deformity. With the advances in the application of medication, managing RA becomes more practical.

Chairing the Rheumatology symposium, Dr. Mustafa Al-Izzi, Consultant Rheumatologist, head of Rheumatology Department, Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said: "The incidence of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Middle East and Gulf countries is almost equal to the international figure which is about one percent. The crippling and painful nature of the disease can be eased to a large degree by early detection, professional medical assistance and therapy."

RA is associated with substantial disability and economic losses, and one study showed that one-third of patients in the UK who were employed became work-disabled within two years of disease onset. Rheumatologic disorders also account for 25 percent of Social Security disability payments.

One remedy which has been widely accredited and accepted in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis is REMICADE (Infliximab) which reduces RA signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Other international and regional experts speaking at the symposium include: Prof. Juan J. Gomez-Reino, Hospital, Clinico Universitario - Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain, Dr. Adel Al-Awadhi, Consultant Rheumatologist, head of Rheumatology departement, Al-Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, Dr. Batool Hassan, Senior Consultant Rheumatologist - Oman, Dr. Jamal Al Saleh, Rheumatologist, acting head of Rheumatology department, Dubai and Dr. Mohammed Hamoudeh Consultant Rheumatologist - head of Rheumatology department, Hamad Hospital, Qatar.