RAMADAN KAREEM

This is the period where our dear muslim friends, family and colleagues fast for a period of time. Fasting during Ramadan, a holy month of Islam, is an obligatory duty for all healthy adult Muslims and its duration varies between 29 and 30 days. Its timing changes with respect to seasons. Depending on the geographical location and season, the duration of the daily fast may range from a few to more than 20 hours.
Muslims who fast during Ramadan must abstain from eating, drinking, use of oral medications, and smoking from predawn to after sunset; however, there are no restrictions on food or fluid intake between sunset and dawn. Most people consume two meals per day during this month, one after sunset, referred to in Arabic as Iftar (breaking of the fast meal), and the other before dawn, referred to as Suhur (predawn).
Now the question is, what food or fluid intake do one use to break or start this fasting?

As we know, fasting is not meant to create excessive hardship on the Muslim individual. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder which may place one at high risk for various complications if the pattern and amount of meal and fluid intake is markedly altered.
Due to loss of energy, weakness and dehydration. Most people rush for food that contains carbohydrate. Foods like rice, yam, spaghetti etc, inorder to gain their strength back.
This is not right, it only increases blood sugar which makes one restless and dizzy, which only makes matter worse.
So how can we live healthy, during this fasting period?

1.) Water should be the first intake as soon as one wants to break fast. We must ensure we take as much as possible throughout the evening till dawn. It will help the circulation of blood in ones system, reduce dehydration and cleanse it. Avoid drinks with caffeine.

2.) Start meal with fruits. Fruits like watermelon, oranges, blueberries-Blueberries are awesome choice. They are packed with dietary fiber, vitamin C, and flavonoids. Flavonoids are phytonutrients and help to boost ones immune system and fight off infection. They could also help fight off bad cholesterol and keep the heart and arteries healthy

 Grapefruits-They are packed with antioxidants, especially in the ruby red variety. It lowers bad cholesterol by 20% and triglycerides by 17%.

3.) Take in enough protein. Due to not eating anything for over 17-20hrs, the body will be feeding on itself. So there is need to rebuild this areas. Source of protein that will be good includes; 

Tofu-Even if not a vegetarian, tofu is a great product to integrate in diet. It is made from soy, which is high in niacin, folate, zinc, potassium, iron, and the fatty acid alpha-linolenic. This can turn into the hugely beneficial omega-3 fatty acid

Beans-Beans are a great alternative because they are high in fiber and protein. They are also packed with vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Also, other meals like brown rice, amala (instead of yam flour try plaintain flour), wheat flour( easily digested), non-starchy vegetables, fish, skinless chicken etc.

While the iftar meal is a celebration time, try not to overeat. Keep sensible portions in mind and follow the same guidelines for healthy eating done during the rest of the year with emphasis on whole grains, lean sources of meat, fish and poultry and small amounts of heart healthy fats.

This Article is written by Damilola Shobiye a Student of Nutrition and Dietetics from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

To be our Guest Blogger on the nigeria diabetes online community kindly send your article to us on thengdoc@gmail.com, follow us on @theNGdoc and like our facebook page

The Second African Diabetes Congress Yaounde 2014 "Diabetes: Challenges and Opportunities in Africa"

CALL FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION!

 The Second African Diabetes Congress Yaounde-Cameroon:25th-28th February 2014
"Diabetes: Challenges and Opportunities in Africa"

The Scientific Program Committee of the ADC 2014 invites all interested participants to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations. Abstract submission to the ADC 2014 is based on 100% online system and all abstracts will be reviewed by the scientific program committee and the secretariat will inform presenting authors of the outcome via email. Participants, who would like to actively participate in the Congress, are requested to submit an abstract for review by the Program Scientific Committee.

The Committee reserves the right to:
1) select the abstracts relevant to the Scientific Program
2) decide on the final form of presentation (oral or poster display)

The 2nd African Diabetes Congress will promote excellence in the field of diabetes. The congress has been appropriately themed: “Diabetes: Challenges and opportunities in Africa”. The Congress will provide an ideal opportunity to cross fertilize with colleagues from Africa and mingle with international renowned experts in the field of diabetes. We are putting together an exciting scientific programme of the most recent diabetes evidence and best practice that will underpin the improvement in diabetes care, treatment and prevention adapted to the African region.

The congress will be held at the Hilton Hotel Yaounde-Cameroon from the 25th–28th February 2014. We look forward to welcoming you to Cameroon, Africa in Miniature!

More information can be gotten here

HAVE YOU TAKEN A STEP FOR DIABETES?

KINDLY DO HERE

WORLD DIABETES DAY

World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes mellitus world and is held on November 14 of each year.

It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming rise of diabetes around the world. World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community.

While the campaigns last the whole year, the day itself marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.

Each year, World Diabetes Day is centred on a theme related to diabetes. Topics covered have included diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle, diabetes and obesity, diabetes in the disadvantaged and the vulnerable, diabetes in children and adolescents. It mainly entails talking about Diabetes


This year's world diabetes day theme is Diabetes: Protect our Future

Activities can include:

Bringing Diabetes to Light by making monumental structures and buildings go blue for diabetes awareness 

Organize an event in your location: Could be an awareness program or in collaboration with health institutions could be a free screening program

You could organize a flash mob with friends

 .

Contact us for more information

10 DIABETES FACTS

Here are 10 facts from the World Health Organization website featured on our twitter handle and Facebook Page.

1) There is an emerging global epidemic of diabetes that can be traced back to rapid increases in overweight, obesity and physical inactivity.

2) Total deaths from diabetes are projected to rise by more than 50% in the next 10 years. Most notably, they are projected to increase by over 80% in upper-middle income countries.

3) Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production and type 2 diabetes results from the body's ineffective use of insulin.

4) Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes, and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes worldwide.

5) Reports of type 2 diabetes in children - previously rare - have increased worldwide. In some countries, it accounts for almost half of newly diagnosed cases in children and adolescents.

6) A third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This type is characterized by hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, which is first recognized during pregnancy.

7) In 2005, 1.1 million people died from diabetes. The full impact is much larger, because although people may live for years with diabetes, their cause of death is often recorded as heart diseases or kidney failure.

8) 80% of diabetes deaths are now occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

9) Lack of awareness about diabetes, combined with insufficient access to health services, can lead to complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure.

10) Diabetes can be prevented. Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days and a healthy diet can drastically reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Image and Text Credit to World Health Organization; for more info visit here 

MY MEANING OF DIABETES AND MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

Since our last meeting with Omolade our relationship has improved drastically, with her mom attestating to the tremendous changes and her improved attitude to health.

So we asked her to reflect on how it has been to date (Her Journey so far) and she dropped us this letter.

 Omolade with the NGDOC Team

MY MEANING OF DIABETES AND MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Diabetes to me is a disease that does not enable my body to provide insulin and does not enable my body to store glucose to glucogen
Or
A non-communicable disease that can only be transferred through traits or heredity.

MY BRIEF EXPERIENCE OF THE DIABETES DISEASE

On the 13th of august 2012 I realised I am diabetic but because it was new to me and due to my worries all the time i am always saying that there is someone behind my condition and I am always putting myself into crisis, scared, thinking, crying and always running away from people.

When I met My Clinicians and the NGDOC Team this year, they explained a lot to me that many people around the both whites and blacks have diabetes and are living well so I need not to put myself into more crisis. They said by taking my insulin regularly I will be preventing a lot of problems for myself and my family.

I now have become shy and so happy when I saw people from all over the world on the system, in the books and mobile phone. I realise I need to cope with my diabetes and leave the rest to God Almighty to take control of all.

I have hence begun to rejoice with all the choices of mine, thanks to my doctors and the NGDOC team.


 Onafowokan Omolade

You can read our previous post on omolade here

If you know any Type 1CWD please contact us

We wish to thank the Paediatric Endocrinology Department of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital under the supervision of Dr Mrs Fetuga (Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist) for connecting us with Omolade.

HEALTH AND POLITICS

Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind and body, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in 1946 as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

Health is of major concern to nations of the world. WHO and the member states strive hard to ensure this is achieved across board. A major WHO goal is to improve equity in health, reduce health risks, promote healthy lifestyles and settings, and respond to the underlying determinants of health.
This among others are the goals expected to be followed by member states and organizations.

A meeting with Prof. Cees Th. Smit Sibinga was a real eye opener as we discussed the problems faced by developing nations and africa as a continent.

Prof Sibinga is a WHO expert involved in international short term consulting missions; medium and long term projects focused on the development of Transfusion Medicine in economically restricted countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa, Western Pacific and the Middle East.

Prof. Cees Th. Smit Sibinga and I 

A lot has been invested in terms of resource on health in the continent with little impact and Africa being a toast of many investors has to be self motivated towards adequate care especially in health for her citizens.

Our focus of discussion centered around blood transfusion practices in Africa (His area of expertise) and diabetes (my passion ),we realized that so much needs to be done to step our health practices up to conform to international standards especially in Nigeria.

Nigeria is a large country with great prospect and promising health policies but implementation has been a major hindrance to quality health care delivery.

The World Health Organization's activities deals directly with member nations and organizations hence whatever agreement signed at the World Health Assembly is binding on all member nations and as such must be implemented, likewise any feedback given by the member nations must reflect the true state of health affairs in the member country as that would be the blue print guiding WHO activity in such country.

So what happens inbetween agreements, implementation and feedback: The Politics of Health;

So many questions ranging from if the Member nations especially developing countries abide by the agreements signed at the World Health Assembly; if they give the true state of health in their respective countries as a feedback to WHO?
These questions are endless but from the few minutes interaction with Prof Sibinga i realized that the problems are not as cumbersome as thought and the solution is within reach.

Prof Sibinga said: "When you vote, you exercise your authority not just to choose your favorite candidate to govern your affairs for a particular period but also to represent your interest within that same period'

So, it is not just in us as individuals or as a nation to vote for personalities we love or adore but we also need to vote for policies and adequate representation especially in health care delivery across board.

It is imperative to note that once we are misrepresented at the international level as against the true state of health affairs or when policies end only on the papers then we need not scream isolation by the international community when in real truth the world can only help those willing to help themselves.

Interesting to note is that topmost on the agenda at this year's world health assembly is Non Communicable diseases (click here) among which is Diabetes which has affected over 347million people worldwide (about 50% of those with diabetes are yet to be diagnosed; More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries; WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030)
With all these knowledge at our fingertips it is important for all stake holders and health advocates to rise to the challenge of ensuring that proper health care policies and delivery are achieved at all levels of governance. 

This is a clarion call to all health advocates especially at community level to also encourage the people to in addition to voting for personalities also consider policies that will make their health better and more secured.

We believe all governmental administrative structures from the community to national heads must be filled with people who stand for policies that will better the health and lives of the people
With this evolutionary mind set in view and in place we believe the African health care system will become more proactive.

DO TAKE A STEP FOR DIABETES 

HEALTHY HABITS TURNED LIFESTYLE: LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM GRONINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS.

 

Groningen is the main municipality as well as the capital city of the eponymous province in The Netherlands.

With a population of around 190,000, it is the largest city in the north of the Netherlands. An ancient city, Groningen was the regional power of the northern Netherlands, a semi-independent city-state and member of the German Hanseatic League. Groningen is a university city: the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences each have about 25,000 students.

With a background knowledge of Diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, being a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.

There are 3 main classifications of Diabetes Mellitus but for the purpose of this article we would major on Type 2 DM which makes up about 90% of cases of diabetes with the other 10% due primarily to diabetes mellitus type 1 and gestational diabetes.

 Obesity is thought to be the primary cause of type 2 diabetes in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Type 2 diabetes is initially managed by increasing exercise and dietary modification.
Rates of type 2 diabetes have increased markedly over the last 50 years in parallel with obesity: As of 2010 there are approximately 285 million people with the disease compared to around 30 million in 1985.

Long-term complications from high blood sugar can include heart disease, strokes, diabetic retinopathy where eyesight is affected, kidney failure which may require dialysis, and poor circulation of limbs leading to amputations. The acute complication of ketoacidosis, a feature of type 1 diabetes, is uncommon. However, non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma may occur

But a proper diet and exercise are the foundations of diabetic care, with a greater amount of exercise yielding better results. A diabetic diet that promotes weight loss is important. Aerobic exercise leads to a decrease in HbA_1c and improved insulin sensitivity. Resistance training is also useful and the combination of both types of exercise may be most effective.

Culturally appropriate education may help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels, and also prevent type 2 diabetes.

 

 

Groningen has been called the "World Cycling City", since 57% of journeys within the city are made by bicycle. The city is very much adapted to the wishes of those who want to get around without a car, as it has an extensive network of segregated cycle-paths, good public transport, and a large pedestrianized zone in the city centre.

The transformation of the historic centre into a pedestrian priority zone enables and invites walking and biking by making these active modes of transport comfortable, safe and enjoyable. These attributes are accomplished by applying the principle of "filtered permeability".

It means that the network configuration favours active transportation and selectively, “filters out” the car by reducing the number of streets that run through the centre. While certain streets are discontinuous for cars, they connect to a network of pedestrian and bike paths which permeate the entire centre. In addition, these paths go through public squares and open spaces increasing the enjoyment of the trip.


The logic of filtering a mode of transport is fully expressed in a comprehensive model for laying out neighbourhoods and districts – the Fused Grid.

 In the Italian TV programme of investigative journalism "Report" appeared a short film, considering the use of bikes in Groningen a good practice to emulate in Italy.

 

Am really going to learn to ride a bicycle

 

My experience at The International Student Congress of (bio)medical sciences in Groningen is a typical example of a healthy habit turned Lifestyle, I was thrilled by the fact that a city can turn cycling a good means of daily exercise into a lifestyle and I was thrilled seeing kids cycling around.



Nigerian Medical Students at the ISCOMS (From Ukraine and Nigeria)

I believe other countries like Nigeria can emulate this great healthy habit, the hot West African weather might not allow for cycling all day long but evenings are great time to cycle.
So in the future, road constructions should have bicycle lanes; there should be subsidized rates on bicycles and importation of bicycles to Nigeria must be encouraged.

All these efforts will go a long way in creating healthy lifestyles for Nigerians thereby preventing and managing type 2 diabetes among Nigerians.

Also I will suggest the Nigerian Government should encourage student research exchanges through adequate funding and motivation as this is instrumental to economic and academic development, as this exposure is one not easily forgotten.