13 November 2016 (Dubai, United Arab Emirates): The American Hospital Dubai will mark World Diabetes Day on November 14th by focusing on helping to create awareness of the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications. According to Dr. Donatella Casiglia, Specialist in Endocrine and Diabetes, and Diabetes Consultant at the American Hospital Dubai, diabetes is very quick and easy to diagnose and can even be prevented and controlled at least initially by careful attention to diet and exercise.
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which glucose levels are impaired, affecting the body’s metabolism and leading to complications which can prove to be fatal. High glucose levels (hyperglycemia) and low glucose levels (hypoglycemia) are both potentially dangerous and life threatening states for a diabetes patient, making control of glucose levels an important factor for patients.
There are two types of diabetes: type 1 is insulin dependent diabetes (severe lack of insulin) and is most common in children and young adults. Type 2 is non insulin dependent diabetes in which the pancreas still produces insulin but not enough to meet the body’s needs or the cells of the body don’t respond to the insulin and cannot perform properly.
Dr. Casiglia, Diabetes Consultant at the American Hospital Dubai, comments: “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. This is what we must work to prevent at all costs. Lifestyle awareness and management – a healthy balance of diet and exercise – helps enormously and then regular screening acts as a backup to help ensure prevention or at least early diagnosis, which means we can manage and treat the disease effectively.”
Traditionally, the management of type 1 diabetes involves maintaining the levels of blood glucose as near to normal as possible, through regular injection of insulin. Up to four injections per day can be required and patients need to have extensive education about the use of insulin and possible complications. About 30-50% of patient with type 2 diabetes will need insulin at a certain point, as well. However in the past few years there have been newer medications available for patients with type 2 diabetes associated with less risk of low blood glucose, weight reduction and reduced risk of diabetic complication.
Good blood glucose control is very important in treating diabetes because near normal blood glucose values substantially reduce the risk of serious health problems, such as diseases of the heart, kidneys, nerves and eyes.
Symptoms of diabetes, when they do occur, include thirst, frequent urination, weight loss and fatigue and are due to elevated blood glucose . 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.
Weight loss and exercise are shown to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes (the most common form) by 60 per cent. Regular physical activity is essential in helping prevent obesity and diabetes, as well as in reducing weight and improving insulin sensitivity in people with Type 2 Diabetes.
About the American Hospital Dubai
The American Hospital Dubai is a 240-bed, acute care, general medical/surgical private hospital with a multi-specialty physician group practice, designed to provide a high quality, American standard of healthcare to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of the people of Dubai, the UAE and the surrounding Gulf States.
The American Hospital Dubai became the first hospital in the Middle East to be awarded JCI accreditation in May 2000 and has successfully maintained its accreditation six times (next accreditation in 2018). The Laboratory of the American Hospital Dubai was the first private lab in the Middle East to earn accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and was accredited for the eighth consecutive time in July 2015.
The American Hospital Dubai has continued to expand to meet the demand for more personalized services, comfort and convenience, while broadening the services and deepening the level of expertise and care offered.
Recent developments include a new Radiation Therapy program using RapidArc technology and supporting the hospital’s Cancer Care Department. The newly expanded Orthopedics and Total Joint Replacement Department now includes specialists in orthopedics, offering a comprehensive range of treatment options for adults, in addition to the acute rehabilitation services. Our Heart Center has an updated state of the art angiosuite, and our Endocrinology services are expanding their multidisciplinary programs including diabetic foot care and thyroid center. Continued growth is expected in other service lines to complement our specialty services. Our strategic focus includes easy patient access, innovation, and personalized medicine.
In June 2016, the Hospital became the inaugural Middle East member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network. Our physicians and team are able to collaborate and leverage the expertise of Mayo Clinic for the betterment of patients in the UAE and surrounding region.
With the opening of its American Hospital Clinics – Dubai Media City Clinic, world class healthcare is increasingly accessible to the residents of Dubai. Our physicians are best in class, all with western Board Certification.
Issued on behalf of the American Hospital Dubai by WPR
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Jonathan Walsh
WPR
Dubai
Tel: 050 4588610
Email: jon@wprme.com
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