ARUN DUA
Fifty-nine-year-old Indian national Arun Dua worked as a captain in the merchant navy for many years before moving to Dubai. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1996.
How I found out
“I came to know about my diabetes while undergoing a routine health check-up before sailing. My blood sugar was so high that I was not allowed to board the ship and was advised to consult a doctor immediately.”
Living with diabetes
“Along with insulin injections four times a day, I take oral diabetes medicine to control blood sugar levels. I always carry an insulin injection and a blood sugar monitoring kit with me to avoid any diabetic emergency. I have downloaded a special app to stay connected 24X7 with my doctor, who is based in Indore, India, sharing updates on my food intake and insulin and blood sugar levels. I walk briskly for at least an hour every day to keep my weight in check.”
Staying on track
“Diabetes calls for discipline in life to manage it efficiently. I have stopped eating all kinds of refined carbohydrates, starchy fruits and vegetables, fast food, fruit juice and soda. I don’t remember reaching for any desserts in the past 10-15 years.
What I miss the most
“While initially I found it challenging to overcome the cravings for food that I love, now I don’t feel any temptation at all. Sometimes, when I am depressed or anxious, I tend to binge on chocolates.”
Read more: Diabetes doesn't just affect one person. It's a family affair, say UAE residents.
AWAD AL MEHIRI
UAE national Awad Al Mehiri, 9, is a Year 4 student at Emirates International School and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at five. His mother, Muna Ahmad Al Mazroui, helped him with some of our questions.
How I found out
“One day, while I was in my kindergarten, I started running a very high fever. My teacher phoned my mum and she rushed me to the hospital. I remember being tired all the time at school and felt like drinking lots of fruit juice. When my mother discussed all these symptoms with the doctor, he prescribed a few blood tests to check my blood glucose levels.”
My reaction
“I was very excited as my mother booked for a trip to Germany just after my diagnosis. She, however, planned the trip to seek advanced medical care for my condition. We stayed at a clinic in Munich for 2-3 months, during which my blood sugar was closely monitored by the doctors and I was under a strict diet regimen.”
Living with diabetes
“I am happy that I don’t need to take insulin injections anymore as my doctor has put me on an insulin pump. This is a small device that I can easily slip into my pocket to avoid unnecessary questions from strangers. With the pump, I don’t need to follow a strict schedule for eating and can indulge in all my favourite outdoor activities, including football and beach fun, without worrying about timely insulin shots. However, I go for a complete blood test once every three months to check the progress of my condition.”
What I miss the most
“There is nothing I miss as I have become used to the condition. However, I wish I can avoid the emergency trips to the hospital due to sudden drop in blood sugar. These make my mum upset.”
RAJUL AHMED
A Dubai resident since 1981, Rajul Ahmed, 53, is a Bangladeshi expatriate working with a taxi company in the emirate. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 12 years ago and spoke to us in Bengali.
How I found out
“I came to know about my diabetes when I had a small cut on my hand that took a very long time to heal. My doctor asked me to go for some blood tests, with the results confirming that my blood sugar was above the normal count. Had I ignored the wound, I would have never come to know about the severity of my condition.”
Living with diabetes
“I take two insulin injections a day, before and after work, to keep my blood sugar levels in check. I also control what I eat and when I eat, opting for small meals every three hours. Since a sudden drop in blood sugar is very common in diabetics, besides my regular insulin shots, I always keep a few sachets of sugar, candies and ripe bananas in the taxi. There had been days when I have suddenly felt dizzy and began to sweat and shake uncontrollably as the sugar levels dropped. These quick bites helped me stabilise my levels. Despite a busy working schedule, I try not to skip any meal or miss my daily medication.”
Staying on track
“I have significantly cut down on my intake of carbohydrates — eating brown bread for lunch and a small serving of brown rice at night — and red meat. For snacking, I always reach for green apples, unsalted crackers and tea without sugar. I try to cook my meals after work as much as I can and walk for at least 15 minutes after dinner.”
What I miss the most
“Mangoes during summer and sweets from Bangladesh. While I love to eat white rice with curries, I try to stay away from refined carbs, as this can easily send my blood sugar levels on a roller coaster.”
HANAN SALAH HANAFY
A long-time Abu Dhabi resident and mother of two, Hanan Salah Hanafy, 49, from Egypt works as a patient aide at Burjeel Hospital in the capital. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes more than 20 years ago.
How I found out
“I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at the first trimester of my pregnancy. While I thought that my blood sugar level would return to normal after the delivery, my diabetes persisted, turning into type 2 diabetes later.”
My reaction
“My biggest concern was how I would keep my intense cravings for sweets at bay.”
Living with diabetes
“I take metformin twice a day to keep my blood sugar in check. While living with diabetes is a life-long challenge, it is manageable with a healthy diet and proper medication. I normally try to eat right — salad, boiled veggies and grilled lean meat — and mind my portions and go for regular walks to stay fit and healthy. I always carry my lunch box to work to avoid eating out. Furthermore, whenever I feel dizzy, anxious or irritable, I check my blood sugar levels immediately to prevent any further health complications. Since diabetes can lead to eye complications, I take a vitamin B1, B6 and B12 supplement regularly.”
What I miss the most
“The idea behind a healthy diet is nothing is off limits. I indulge in sweets. But, the key is to have a very small portion and save them only for special occasions. If I eat a small portion of sweet in the afternoon, I skip my dinner, eating yoghurt and an apple or just drink a glass of milk.”
