Sharjah Press Club discusses spinal health and quality of life

The session, held in the Aljada area of Sharjah, was attended by His Excellency Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau; Her Excellency Alia Bu Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau; His Excellency Salem bin Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah City Municipal Council; and a number of officials, media professionals, and those interested in health issues.
 
Early detection
 
Abdul Jawad stresses the family's role in early detection of spinal deformities, and Sajwani calls for adopting a healthy lifestyle from a young age. The session, moderated by journalist Mariam Alai from Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, featured Professor Dr Hani Abdel Gawad, a consultant in spinal surgery, and Dr Adel Sajwani, a consultant in family medicine.

 Raising community awareness
 
Dr Hani Abdel Gawad emphasised the importance of raising community awareness to correct common misconceptions about spinal deformities. He pointed out that attributing them solely to lifestyle or certain daily practices may not reflect the full picture of the condition. He explained that these deformities can appear during the growth phase and may have genetic or unknown causes, stressing that early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and faster recovery.
 
Detecting signs
 
He highlighted key signs that families can observe for early detection, including lumbar instability, uneven shoulders, and abnormal protrusion of the back. He also addressed the importance of accumulated medical experience, emphasising that certain precise diagnostic and treatment skills cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence technologies.

 Adopting healthy lifestyle
 
For his part, Dr Adel Sajwani addressed the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle from a young age through exercise and a balanced diet, considering it a long-term investment in health to prevent age-related diseases. He also highlighted the role of the family as a role model in instilling healthy habits.
 
Promoting mental health
 
Dr Sajwani also touched upon mental health, explaining that awareness of conditions such as depression and anxiety has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasiaed the importance of consulting specialists and obtaining diagnoses from reliable medical sources. He further reviewed several health problems that have recently emerged as a result of modern lifestyles, such as neck problems caused by excessive use of smart devices and carpal tunnel syndrome.

 The third session of the Sharjah Press Club's Ramadan Majlis included interactive activities, along with a Q&A session and competitions for the audience, with prizes sponsored by the Sharjah Cooperative Society. The fifteenth edition of the Majlis concludes on Thursday, in the Aljada area after Taraweeh prayers.