The study revealed that 18% of the group who had undiagnosed diabetes were also found [...]]]>

diabetes in Dubai

According to medical experts attending the Emirates Endocrine Congress, being held in Dubai this week, more than 40% of diabetes patients in UAE suffer from, microalbuminuria, protein in the urine, caused by damage in the kidneys as a result of diabetes.

The study revealed that 18% of the group who had undiagnosed diabetes were also found to have microalbuminuria, and if they left without treatment, it could lead to progress leading to end-stage kidney diseases that often require treatment with dialysis, and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases that can result in heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Khaled Al Jaberi, Consultant and Chief of Endocrinology at Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, said “The high proportion of people who already have signs of diabetes-related kidney disease is extremely worrying and is probably related to the fact that people fail to seek medical assistance for the signs and symptoms of diabetes early enough. We have a high prevalence of diabetes in the UAE and we know that for every one person who is already diagnosed there is another person who is undiagnosed who may already be suffering from complications of the disease,”

Patients with microalbuminuria must receive proper care to control their blood glucose and blood pressure within the normal levels through intensive treatment regimes, and also by using anti-hypertensive drugs to lower the blood pressure.

Dr. Ghaida Kaddaha, the head of the Diabetes Unit, Rashid Hospital, explained “The management of microalbunimuria is to treat aggressively with anti-hypertensive medications using different types of blood pressure drugs such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs to reduce the patient’s blood pressure to recommended levels,”

The best guidelines known worldwide state that diabetes patients should be screened on regular bases for microalbuminuria, so if it appeared that they are infected, they should have their urine checked monthly to determine their protein levels.

Share/Save

The campaign will also address weighty matters like obesity and related diseases such [...]]]>

Dubai Municipality will launch the third phase of the public health campaign under the slogan “Together for a healthier lifestyle”. This compaign’s main aim is to provide free medical check ups and consultations for practitioners of walking in the Mamzar Park at 5pm.

The campaign will also address weighty matters like obesity and related diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Free check ups and consultations will be offered by the medical staff of the Clinic and Medical Services Section of the Public Health Services Department of the Municipality in collaboration with doctors and specialists from outside the Municipality. Doctors will advice the public on the benefits of walking regularly during the campaign, which is supported by Almarai.

Dr. Munir Hamad, General Practitioner the Clinic and Medical Services Section of the Public Health Services Department pointed out that this campaign is organized to create awareness among the public on the diseases resulting from the pressure of modern life, and promote the health services provided by the Municipality as well as promoting the walking tracks and increasing the number of visitors to these facilities.

Further, the campaign is also aimed at establishing an initial database on the types and levels of chronic diseases among the members of the community, and having a positive interaction with them to understand their needs regarding Municipality services, in addition to conducting tests for sugar, pressure, cholesterol, Body Mass Index, and to provide medical advice.

Share/Save

In addition, Qtel volunteers distributed free bottles of water, to remind visitors of the importance of drinking enough water every day to ensure health and vitality.

Doctors offer a range of advice for people [...]]]>

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has handed out important tips and advice about keeping kidneys healthy, at malls across Doha to mark World Kidney Day.

In addition, Qtel volunteers distributed free bottles of water, to remind visitors of the importance of drinking enough water every day to ensure health and vitality.

Doctors offer a range of advice for people to improve their kidney health, including the following top five tips:

1. Keep fit and active – increase daily physical activity
2. Keep regular control of blood sugar level, blood lipids and anaemia
3. Monitor blood pressure and reduce it if necessary
4. Eat healthy and keep your weight in check
5. Do not smoke

Share/Save

The results from the landmark Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes clinical trial were presented here at the 59th annual conference of [...]]]>

According to a new study, to increasing the amount of good cholesterol in the body and lower blood pressure, it does not reduce the risk of heart disease among people suffering from diabetes.

The results from the landmark Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes clinical trial were presented here at the 59th annual conference of the American College of Cardiology.

Share/Save

The “Tempus IC” system allows cabin crew to gather vital information about a passenger’s health quickly and efficiently. The data covers a wide [...]]]>

Etihad Airways will install new state-of-the-art technology on its long and ultra long haul aircraft which can monitor the condition of passengers who display signs of sickness that might require immediate medical attention.

The “Tempus IC” system allows cabin crew to gather vital information about a passenger’s health quickly and efficiently. The data covers a wide range of the passenger’s ‘vital signs’ including blood pressure and an electrocardiogram. It also allows the crew to take photo imagery.

That information is then transmitted to a medical team of global experts specialised in assistance in in-flight medical contingencies. Following their advice the crew will take a decision about what to do next for the passenger and the flight.

Captain Richard Hill, Etihad Airways’ chief operations officer, said: “Passenger welfare and safety is of the utmost importance to Etihad Airwaysand the introduction of the Tempus IC system will ensure that when medical emergencies do occur they are evaluated quickly.

“This helps ensure that the passenger can receive the appropriate treatment when the aircraft lands, whether this is as a diversion or at its final destination.”

Etihad will introduce the Tempus IC technology, designed and manufactured by UK-based RDT, on its A340 and Boeing 777 aircraft and then subsequently across the remaining long and ultra long haul fleet.

Grahame Fever, Commercial Aviation Sales Director RDT, said: “We are delighted that Etihad has chosen RDT ‘s Tempus on-board telemedicine technology.

“We know from our existing Tempus customers and the in-flight trials with Etihad cabin crew that Tempus technology, with its unique ease-of-use help screens and features, makes a significant difference to quality and speed of on-board medical care.”

Share/Save

The checkups and consultations will be offered by the medical staff of the clinic and Medical Services Section of the Public Health Services Department of the Municipality in collaboration with doctors [...]]]>

Dubai Municipality has organised today a health campaign to provide free medical check-ups and consultations for those who do regular walking as exercise in Dubai.

The checkups and consultations will be offered by the medical staff of the clinic and Medical Services Section of the Public Health Services Department of the Municipality in collaboration with doctors and specialists from outside the Municipality, said Ahmed Salman Al Salman, head of Media Section in the Corporate Marketing and Relations Department.

He said the health campaign will be held at the jogging tracks in the parks at Al Khawaneej, Al Safa, Al Mamzar, Jumeirah Open Beach and Al Twar-1 and Al Twar-3. The municipality will also conduct exercise workshops.

He said the health campaign is being organised to create awareness among the public on lifestyle diseases and promote health services. The campaign is also aimed at establishing an initial database on the types and levels of chronic diseases among the members of the community.

Municipality officials will conduct tests for sugar, pressure, cholesterol, Body Mass Index, and provide medical advice.

Dr Munir Hamad, general practitioner at the Clinic and Medical Services Section of the Public Health Services Department, said the campaign will help in the early detection of risk factors associated with diseases such as blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Share/Save

High blood pressure is responsible for hundreds of deaths each year in the UAE and healthcare experts today [...]]]>

A new set of best practice guideline for primary healthcare providers was issued by the UAE Ministry of Health and Les Laboratoires Servier today to help put an end to one of the country’s biggest killers – hypertension.

High blood pressure is responsible for hundreds of deaths each year in the UAE and healthcare experts today presented the guideline on the diagnosis, treatment and management of the disease to more than 150 eminent physicians, pharmacists and nurses.

The launch was opened by Dr Muna Al Kuwari, Director of Primary Health Care, UAE Ministry of Health, and Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, Chief Executive Officer for Health Policies, UAE MOH.

“The incidence and effects of hypertension in the UAE is unacceptable. To have such a highly-researched, highly-acclaimed and widely available document is a great step forward. To all be on the same page – literally – with regards to diagnosis and management will be a great benefit to doctors and patients,” said Dr Al Kuwari. “The medical profession is continuing to make advancements in this field and we must all know what this progress is and how to make the most of it.”

A workshop to introduce the guideline, led by Servier’s Professor Gérard E. Plante, Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Sherbrooke – Canada, explained how they would ensure the highest standards of care throughout the country.

“The launch of this guideline is a significant step and ensures that all primary health care practitioners have access to the latest global advancements in dealing with hypertension,” he said.

The workshop is part of a continued Hypertension Global Care Program that was launched two years ago, after His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, the then UAE Minister of Health and Les Laboratoires Servier signed a Memorandum of Understanding, detailing a three year strategic plan to combat hypertension in the UAE.

Professor Plante said: “The development of the Hypertension Global Care Program is proving to be a huge success and the guideline developed by the committee is part of the continued development and discussion of an illness which impacts so many adults. And with the latest guideline initiatives, we are delighted to be involved with the Ministry of Health for the launch,” he added.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Health (MoH)., Dubai Heath Authority (DHA) and The Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

The Committee is led by Dr. Muna Al Kuwari and consists of leading physicians in their field:

Dr. Aisha Mohamed Suhail, Deputy Director of PHC – Fujairah, Family Physician Specialist, MoH

Dr. Buthaina Abdulla Bin Belaila, Consultant Family Medicine, Deputy of Director of PHC – Dubai Medical District, MoH

Dr. Fouzia Al Ali, Consultant Family Physician, Al Refaa Health Center, MoH

Dr. Kalthoom Mohamed Hassan, Specialized Health Care Section Director, MoH

Dr. Madian AbdelRahman Mohamed, GP, Assistant Director of Primary Health Care, Umm Al Quwain, MoH

Dr Najla Sajwani, Consultant Family Medicine, Deputy of Director and CME Coordinator PHC, Sharjah, MoH.

Dr. Samia Ali Abdo, Consultant of Internal Medicine, MoH

Dr Suhair Hamad AlOubad, Family Physician Specialist, Medical Director Mamourah PHC, RAK, MoH

Share/Save

The organs of the inner ear have a direct effect on brain blood flow, independent of blood pressure and CO2 levels in the blood. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Neuroscience used a series of human centrifuge experiments to investigate the effects of stimulation of the otoliths and semi-circular canals on cerebrovascular response.

Dr. [...]]]>

The organs of the inner ear have a direct effect on brain blood flow, independent of blood pressure and CO2 levels in the blood. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Neuroscience used a series of human centrifuge experiments to investigate the effects of stimulation of the otoliths and semi-circular canals on cerebrovascular response.

Dr. Jorge Serrador, from Harvard Medical School, worked with a team of researchers, including NASA scientists, to carry out the tests. He said, “While a role for the vestibular system in the autonomic response to position has been documented, this is the first study to demonstrate a direct effect of otolith stimulation on cerebral blood flow”.

The researchers stimulated the vestibular organs of 25 healthy people by tilting them forwards and backwards, and by translation on a centrifuge. Changes in cerebral flow velocity were dependent on the frequency of vestibular stimulation and were in opposition to changes in blood pressure and not directly related to changes in end tidal CO2.

Speaking about the implications of these results, Serrador said, “Standing up places the head above the heart and thus makes it harder to provide blood flow to the brain. Having a connection between the otoliths, which tell us that we are standing, and the cerebrovasculature may be part of the adaption that allows us to maintain our brain blood flow when upright. This connection might explain the reduced cerebral blood flow in some people. For example, aging is associated with vestibular loss that might contribute to reductions in global cerebral blood flow. Similarly, patients with orthostatic intolerance could have underlying vestibular impairment that exacerbates cerebral hypoperfusion when upright. The knowledge gained from this study might lead to new treatment options for these conditions”.

Share/Save