‘Accidental' glucose screening saves UAE expat's life

Dubai: It was an accidental screening a decade ago that saved the life of South African expatriate Sash Padayachee.

He told Gulf News: “It started off as a chance visit to a mall in Botswana that was organising free glucose testing. The moment the consultant saw my reading – very high blood sugar, I was told to immediately seek medical attention. I was also told not to risk driving back.”

The screening led to a consultation with an endocrinologist who counselled on coping strategies and management of Type 2 diabetes.

“The screening was a wake-up call,” said Padayachee who works in training and is a father of three children.

As he learnt about the condition and the symptoms – including frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, tiredness, etc, he said he started to “piece the symptoms together.”

The diagnosis required him to overhaul his lifestyle, paying attention to diet and exercise as well as medication.

By way of advice, he said, “I urge people to screen themselves. I also urge people with Type 2 diabetes not to be afraid ask the doctor for options in term of medication. For nine of the 10 years since my diagnosis, I was on oral medication and I recently switched to insulin, and I feel better than I ever have.”