A senior diabetes consultant told patients to take medicines only on medical advice to avoid side-effects.
Dr. Safia Sherbini, a prominent endocrinology and diabetes consultant, said during a phone-in program conducted Tuesday by the Ministry of Health: “Diabetics should be careful about their intake of medicines, which can lead to various problems when consumed without medical advice.”
She insisted patients can only take paracetamol without prescription.
The program was hosted by the ministry’s health education department as part of its health awareness program during the summer.
Sherbini answered a wide range of questions from callers and tweeters on matters related to diabetes.
Nearly, 250 million people around the world have diabetes and one third of those aren’t even aware they have it, said the International Diabetes Federation, which calls the disease the epidemic of the 21st century.
Twenty years ago, the best information suggested 30 million people around the world had the disease. The federation expects that by 2025, the number of people living with diabetes will hit 380 million if nothing is done to prevent further progression.
In Arab countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain, indicators for overweight, obesity and diabetes are alarming and the prevalence of diabetes is exceeding 25 percent.
A study published in 2004 showed 24 percent of Saudis above the age of 30 are diabetic and 14 percent susceptible to the disease.
Answering a question on symptoms such as trembling hands, yellowing of face and sweating, Sherbini said that they could also be be attributed to a disorder in the nervous system.
Speaking about low-weight people who have high glucose in the blood, Sherbini confirmed it is due to frequent passing of urine and dehydration, as the body cannot make use of glucose in the process of metabolism in the human body.
She pointed out treating diabetes with stem cells is still in the experimental stage.
The stem cell therapy is to inject cells into diabetic patients where they are transformed into beta cells capable of producing insulin.
The consultant said the main symptoms for diabetes among children include frequent passing of urine, constant thirst and fatigue.
Diabetes management in children depends on insulin dose adjustment based on frequent blood glucose monitoring and proper diet therapy.
Optimal glycemic control can be achieved by keeping a diary of blood glucose readings including all events such as diet and
exercise.
Regarding regular checks on the glucose level of insulin dependent diabetics, patients were advised to self-monitor blood glucose levels, providing significant benefits to patients as well as to health care providers.
Diabetics warned against self-medication
