Life & Style | Health
Deadly sweet talk
It's World Diabetes Day on November 14. Manjari Saxena gets the low-down on a worryingly prevalent condition
- Manjari Saxena, Unwind
- Published: 00:00 November 7, 2009
- November 14 -World Diabetes Day
- Image Credit: Supplied
Most of us are aware of diabetes since one in four people in the UAE are affected by it. But what exactly is it?
Diabetes results from the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient amounts of insulin ― the hormone that regulates glucose in the body and directs it to the cells where it is used for energy.
"Diabetes is a lifestyle-related disease to a large extent," said Dr Margit Oremek, medical director and consultant, internal medicine, RAK Hospital. "It is often genetically triggered — individuals with a history of diabetes in the family are usually at greater of developing it." However, a sedentary lifestyle and a diet high on fat or sugar can put people at risk even if they don't have a known hereditary problem, he added.
Dr Mohammad Hamad Farooqi, medical director and consultant endocrinologist at Joslin Diabetes Centre, Dubai, outlined the types of diabetes: "There are many types of diabetes but the major ones are Type 1 and Type 2. When the body's immune system reacts against its own insulin-producing cells, known as the islet cells, leading to their destruction, the body fails to regulate glucose and this results in Type 1 diabetes.
"In Type 2 diabetes, people are genetically predisposed to this disease and once they gain weight (particularly around the waist), the body resists the effects of insulin. Over time, glucose levels rise, leading to diabetes. In a nutshell: there is lack of insulin in Type 1 diabetes whereas the insulin is not allowed to function in Type 2 diabetes," Dr Farooqi added.
Both types of diabetes (Type 1 and 2) lead to serious diseases that affect the eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels. "Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis — a build-up of plaque in the arterial blood vessels. It also causes cell damage, kidney failure, heart attack and heart failure, loss of eyesight, stroke and foot ulcers.
It also damages the peripheral nervous system and delays the healing of wounds. Diabetes is most often accompanied by hypertension and lipid disorders, which further contribute to the damage," said Dr Oremek, medical director and consultant, internal medicine, RAK Hospital. "Symptoms include tiredness, dry mouth, itchy skin, sleep- and concentration disorders," he added.
Ticking timebomb
Unfortunately, symptoms often go undetected until a major complication, such as a heart attack, occurs. That's why Sanofi-Aventis, a pharmaceutical company, has joined hands with the UAE Ministry of Health to run a three-year awareness campaign. Dalia Aziz, communication director at the company attributes the rise of diabetes in the UAE to a "surge in obesity among children and teenagers. Seventy per cent of adults and 12 per cent of children in the UAE are overweight, while a fifth of the overweight children are at risk of developing obesity," Aziz said. The campaign will run special programmes for healthcare professionals and school-screening activities with the Ministry of Health.
Landmark Group has adopted a campaign to create awareness on diabetes prevention and management. A 4-kilometre walkathon has been organised in Dubai for November 13.
Micky Jagtiani, group chairman, said: "The UAE has the second-highest rate of diabetes patients in the world, with 20 per cent of the population suffering from the condition." And the team at the Diabetes Centre of Excellence at the American Hospital Dubai only adds to these alarming regional figures ― 50 per cent of people above 50 have diabetes.
Tackling the problem
"As in all cases the best way is to stay healthy ― eat healthy, exercise and be aware of the condition, especially if it runs in the family," said Dr Mohammad Hamad Farooqi, medical director and consultant endocrinologist at Joslin Diabetes Centre.
"Keeping track of family history helps as a first step," Dr Oremek added. "It is important to evaluate your level of risk with regard to weight and lifestyle. We recommend periodical checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels while fasting and after a carbohydrate-rich meal. If there is a family history of diabetes, go for a glucose-tolerance test, which can reveal diabetes at an early stage. Taking regular medication to keep glucose, lipid and blood-pressure within normal levels is necessary in all cases where normal readings are not achievable within three months.
"The Emirates Health Authority has recently launched the national diabetes guidelines to address the issue," Dr Oremek said. "It is necessary to create awareness by screening individuals and educating them about the symptoms and treatment. Diabetes can't be cured but the complications can be prevented," he added.
"Public awareness campaigns to encourage a healthy lifestyle would be essential," Dr Farooqi said.
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