By Modia Batterjee

Recent research in Saudi Arabia show that the number of patients with Diabetes Mellitus  are increasing drastically. As a nation we have reached a point where it is considered an epidemic.  The reason for this is that most of the population does not understand the nature of the disease and its consequences. Poor diabetic control leads to many complications that require hospitalization and sometimes severe and drastic measures to help keep the patient alive.  Some do not understand that this is preventable and possible to deal with once diagnosed.

Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are precursors to type 2 diabetes.  These two characteristics are seen as normal in Saudi Arabia because of their high prevalence, even though both are easily prevented and reversed.  In a study of obesity in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia Dr. Rasheed, states that obesity among females, especially above the age of 40, has reached epidemic proportions. In this age group 78.4% were over-nourished and in younger groups up to 30-40% were overweight or obese (Overweight, 1996).  With these numbers being so high, obesity related diseases such as Diabetes are not surprisingly high also.

In an editorial, Time to Declare War on Diabetes (1996), the author found in his research that nearly one in every five Saudis over the age of 30 has diabetes.   This is not very promising for our young population as they grow older, since diabetes is a chronic condition that affects mostly middle aged and elderly people who already are susceptible to strokes and heart attacks.

Dr. Aus Alzaid states in his editorial that “what we are seeing today is only the tip of the iceberg of the diabetes epidemic”.  He also asks, “what should we all be doing both as clinicians and scientists, to face up to the challenge of diabetes and curtail the scale of its devastation?”  This question has encouraged some people to help in making a change.

Attitudes must change; especially those that consider the presence of an acute medical condition more important and let it over shadow the significance of glycemic control.  Diabetes is for some reason considered a harmless companion unworthy of care and attention.  As professionals we know that diabetes is harmful and that it leads to serious medical complications.  Diabetes is critical, it must be respected and taken seriously by all.

It is crucial that we make a change.  This change will come about when we the professionals can educate the diabetic population about their disease and help them overcome their misconceptions about its treatment.  Dr. Alzaid writes that educating the patient and his/her family on diet, exercise, and foot care for example, can form the best and most effective method to treat diabetes and prevent the potential long-term complications that come with it (1996).

In an effort to achieve these recommended changes we must as a society encourage the medical people to promote better understanding of such a disease.  It is recommended to have health education classes that involve the patient in their treatment and eliminate all misconceptions and attitudes.  Nutrition classes are also highly recommended, they can help promote better understanding of how a diabetic patient should eat to help with blood sugar control.  As a nation we must put our efforts together and take control of this growing epidemic.

SIDE NOTE: Diabetes is a chronic burdensome disease, but once it is understood it is possible to control and live a life of normalcy.