Walking their way to health

 Dubai: "I have to go back to my medication, its all those chocolates that I must be having, I have been naughty," said S. Chetty an Indian, who is suffering from Type 1 diabetes.

Chetty was diagnosed with Diabetes two years back and since then has been on medication. She was one of the thousands of participants who walked the 3.1km ‘Beat Diabetes Walkathon' that began at 8am from the Oasis Centre on Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai.

Sporting a blue T-shirt, cap and wearing a broad smile on her face, Shetty said: "Last year my doctor suggested I get off the medications as I was in perfect control of my blood sugar but for the last three weeks I have been feeling quite ill and I think it has to do with the chocolates that I have been indulging in. I plan to see my doctor who I am sure will ask me to go back on my medication."

More than 3,000 people participated in the ‘Beat Diabetes Walkathon' organised by the Landmark Group yesterday. They were all there as early as 6am with family and friends to spread awareness on diabetes — an illness that affects both adults and children.

Staying fit

Alexander Geisler, British, is just 10 years old but is battling Type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed with diabetes at seven. He and his mother Gilly along with friends were taking part in the Walkathon. Gilly said: "My son is diabetic. He is managing his diabetes well. He is sporty and stays fit. He has to inject insulin four times a day and check his blood sugar as well."

Hoping that more and more people will come to guard themselves against diabetes, Gilly said: "It is fantastic to see so many people taking part in this walkathon. It is very, very important to spread awareness on diabetes."

Statistics released by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre at Arab Health Congress, recently held in Abu Dhabi, show that about 19.5 per cent of the UAE's population is currently living with diabetes. According to the figures, 40 per cent of residents over 60 have diabetes and the number is expected to increase over the coming years; diabetes mellitus causes 75 per cent of deaths among UAE nationals and 31 per cent among non-nationals. In the Gulf region, there are more than 3.5 million diabetes sufferers.

Ronald Bagadiong a Filipino, who was at the Walkathon with son Jerome, 6, and daughter Joreine, 8, remembered one of his friends, who died recently from diabetes.

He said: "What happened to her was very tragic. She was at a party and everything looked so normal. Then all of a sudden she just collapsed. She was driven to the doctor. Over there she was diagnosed as suffering from diabetes. Until then nobody was aware that she was suffering from diabetes. She went into a coma and then after some days she passed away. This incident took place early in March. Since then my family and our friends have been quite vigilant against this disease and make sure that we do not lead a sedentary lifestyle."

Micky Jagtiani of the Landmark Group and his business partner Talal Khouri said they were glad about the response generated by the Walkathon.

Symptoms:

Frequent trips to the bathroom; Unquenchable thirst; losing weight without trying; weakness; fatigue; tingling or numbness in hands and legs; blurred vision; cuts and bruises that take time to heal.