Public awareness and prevention seminar in Dubai highlights the keys to combating diabetes

When it comes to diabetes (a disease in
which the body cannot produce or properly use the hormone, insulin) which has now reached epidemic proportions in the UAE and around the
world - there's some good news and some bad news, according to the experts.

Both the good and the bad news were explained to a large audience at a free, public seminar organised by the Diabetes Centre of Excellence at the American Hospital Dubai, led by Dr Mohammed Al-Shammaa, American Board Certified in Diabetes and Endocrinology, and Mariam Saleh,
Clinical Dietician.

Together, the experts presented the latest medical understanding of the disease and stressed the need for awareness and
prevention. The hospital also provided free blood sugar screening tests for attendees at the seminar.

For a long term illness with no cure, it is reassuring to know that there is still some good news, which is that diabetes is very quick and
easy to diagnose, and that it can even be prevented and controlled effectively by careful attention to diet and exercise. The bad news is
that for half of all diabetes sufferers, there are no obvious symptoms, which means that the disease can progress to the point where other
health complications can arise, leading to serious consequences, such as blindness, amputation, heart attack, stroke and, ultimately, death.

Symptoms of diabetes, when they do occur, include thirst, frequent urination, weight loss and fatigue. If caught early enough, the disease
can be managed to provide the patient with a good quality of life, staying healthy and avoiding more serious complications.

Describing the various forms of prevention and treatment, Dr Al-Shammaa stressed the importance of exercise: 'Weight loss and exercise are shown
to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes (the most common form) by 60 per cent. Plus, this form of prevention is free of charge and has no
side effects. ' Once treatment is necessary, the experts stressed the need for a team approach, with the patient at the centre and supported
by doctor, family, dietician, psychologist, eye doctor. 'An aspirin a day for a diabetes patient will also significantly reduce the risk of
further health complications,' he added.

'The key to beating diabetes is education,' explained Mariam Saleh.

'Diet is central to our health and a diabetic diet is simply a healthy diet. Maintaining a healthy body weight is important and we should plan meals based on the new food pyramid, which includes 'exercise' as a new ingredient.'

The United Nation's first 'World Diabetes Day' is on November 14th.