Diabetes is a complex challenge facing societies, economies and health systems worldwide, and is not a disorder of blood sugar levels. It is also a major cause of many serious complications that can lead to disability or death, such as heart and kidney disease, vision loss, and neurological diseases. So it is important to talk about this disease and create awareness about its dangers.
In Saudi Arabia, we face a special challenge, statistics show a significant increase in the incidence of diabetes, which requires everyone – professionals and community members – to join efforts to prevent and control it.
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The Saudi Society of Family and Community Medicine, in collaboration with Pfizer Saudi Arabia, held a press conference titled “Diabetes…Pain and Hope” in conjunction with “World Diabetes Day”.
First, Dr. Hani Al-Hashemi, Managing Director of the Medical Department of Pfizer Saudi Arabia, praised the role of the Saudi family and community medicine community in spreading awareness campaigns to raise awareness about various diseases and introduce the latest methods of prevention. Awareness about the dangers of diabetes and providing latest updates on blood sugar control, on one hand blood, on the other hand latest treatment solutions.
The conference featured awareness lectures in the presence of a number of media experts and journalists representing several Saudi newspapers and magazines, including the Deputy Representative of “Your Health” in the Middle East.
Diabetes…pain and hope
Professor Dr. Saud Al-Safari, consultant in endocrinology and diabetes at the Armed Forces Hospitals in Al-Hada and Taif and vice president of the Saudi Scientific Society for Diabetes, also spoke at the conference. In his lecture “Diabetes.. .pain and hope” the greatest risk of diabetes is that its complications are not limited to the extent of harm it can cause in the short term, but go beyond the long-term risks that can affect the patient’s quality of life. Life and health in general. These complications require ongoing medical care, and may require specialized therapeutic interventions.
The most important complications of diabetes
* Cardiovascular complications: Diabetes increases the risk of coronary heart disease; Angina, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.
* Diabetic Kidney Disease: Long-term high blood sugar can damage the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
* Diabetic neuropathyDiabetes can damage the nerves in the body, causing numbness, pain, tingling and weakness in the limbs, and problems with digestion, sexual organs and more.
* Eye and vision problems: Including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and vision loss.
* Skin problemsDiabetes can lead to skin problems including bacterial and fungal infections.
* Oral healthSuch as gum disease, dry mouth and gingivitis.
* Foot problemsNerve damage or poor circulation in the feet can lead to serious foot complications, from infection to the need for amputation.
* Psychological effects: Including anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
* Complications during pregnancyDiabetes can increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including high blood pressure, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes.
Most important developments
Dr Al-Safari explained that the lifestyle of people with diabetes is affected by many factors, including controlling blood sugar levels, side effects of medications and potential complications of the disease. Therefore, recent discoveries and developments aim to improve these factors, reduce feelings of anxiety associated with daily interventions and continuous monitoring, and significantly reduce human errors, which positively reflects the life of the diabetic patient.
Among the most important developments are:
First: Updates on blood glucose monitoring
In recent years, blood sugar monitoring has seen major technological advances, making it easier than ever to effectively manage diabetes. The most notable of these developments are:
* Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systemsThese devices continuously measure glucose levels in subcutaneous fluids, providing patients with immediate information about their blood sugar levels. It helps predict trends and patterns, which helps avoid high or low blood sugar levels.
* Advanced insulin pumpsModern insulin pumps are integrated with CGM systems, allowing insulin dosage to be automatically adjusted based on blood glucose levels.
* Wireless transmission technologies: Patients can monitor glucose levels through their smart devices or smart watches and share them directly with healthcare providers, helping to improve diabetes control.
* Smart needles and insulin pens: They have features such as accurate measurements and recording the time and amount of doses taken, and some of them can interact with smartphone apps to record and monitor insulin levels.
* Non-puncture glucose measuring devicesAlthough this technology is still in the early stages of development, devices aimed at measuring glucose levels without taking blood samples using traditional methods are under research and development.
* Mobile applications and softwareMany apps help patients monitor blood sugar levels, diet, physical activity, and even manage stress levels, all of which contribute to better diabetes management.
Second, weekly insulin updates:
* Improvement in treatment adherenceWeekly insulin reduces the number of injections needed, which helps patients better adhere to the treatment plan.
* Controls sugar levels better: Thanks to its long-term effect, it helps reduce fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which improves diabetes control.
* Ensuring patient comfort: This reduces the need to remember daily injections or the need to carry insulin supplies, which provides greater comfort to patients, especially those who have difficulty managing daily injections.
* Fewer side effectsSome studies indicate that weekly insulin may have fewer side effects compared to daily insulin, particularly hypoglycemia.
Third: Updates like glucagon
Glucagon-like peptide type 1 (GLP-1 RAs) are a class of drugs that mimic the action of natural hormones in the body that are secreted in response to food intake. These drugs are used to treat type 2 diabetes and have seen important advances in recent years, including:
* Improved creation and distribution: New formulations of GLP-1 RAs have been developed that allow for less frequent administration of the drug, such as weekly formulations, improving adherence.
* Improved performanceNewer generations of GLP-1 RAs are more effective in lowering blood sugar levels and supporting weight loss, contributing to better disease control.
* Many positive effectsStudies have shown that GLP-1 RAs have a positive effect on cardiovascular risk factors and may be used to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes.
The most important pillars of diabetes care
Dr Fahad Al-Saban, Consultant and Director of the Diabetes and Endocrine Center at the Defense Force Hospital in Riyadh, spoke at the conference. He touched upon the basic principles in his lecture on “The most important pillars of diabetes care”. With advances in diabetes treatment, and science and technology, methods of managing diabetes have evolved significantly, giving patients and professionals more options to manage the disease more effectively.
* Use of digital technologies: Analyzing health data using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to provide predictive insights will help in personalized and early disease control. He also emphasized the importance of using digital platforms to provide ongoing education and support to patients including mobile applications, healthcare. Games and online support communities.
* Drug Development: With recent advances in diabetes treatment, new concepts have emerged to facilitate insulin administration. One of the most important of these innovations was the development of long-acting insulin that was delivered once a week. As well as the use of modern drugs such as “peptides” such as “glucagon type 1”, which mimics the action of natural hormones secreted by the body in response to eating and is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
* Diet: Dr. emphasizes the importance of focusing on individualized diet, especially low-carbohydrate diets, and regular physical activity. Al-Saban emphasized that because diabetes plays an important role in controlling the disease, and using apps to help patients monitor blood sugar levels. Diet, physical activity and controlling stress levels contribute to better diabetes management.
* Avoid infection: He also emphasized the need to educate diabetics that they are more susceptible to bacterial or viral infections, including respiratory infections such as pneumococcus, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus. Fortunately, they can protect themselves by taking the recommended vaccinations as per the Ministry of Health guidelines, and diabetics can visit any primary health clinic to get the vaccinations.
Since people with diabetes are considered to be at risk of developing serious complications if they contract “Covid-19”, it is important to take the following steps to protect themselves: Know, Plan, Start. Find out if you or someone in your community has a chronic disease like diabetes. If you have any of the symptoms of “Covid-19”, it is better to plan quickly to take the necessary measures and get yourself tested for knowledge. If you are infected with “Covid-19”, start spreading awareness and consult a doctor, you should start following “Covid-19” treatment… Guidelines of Ministry of Health.
10 Ways to Avoid Diabetes Complications
– Commitment to diabetes care.
– Avoid smoking to reduce complications including heart disease, stroke, eye disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, poor circulation in the legs and feet, and early death.
– Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
– Scheduling medical examinations and vision tests on a regular basis.
– Updating vaccines following the latest data, as regular vaccination helps prevent many types of infections, including respiratory infections such as pneumococcus, “Covid-19,” and respiratory syncytial virus. An influenza vaccine every year protects against serious complications of the flu. He gets a pneumonia vaccine every five years, hepatitis B vaccine, tetanus every 10 years, and “covid” vaccines.
– Take care of your teeth.
– Foot care.
– Take aspirin as advised by your doctor if you have diabetes and other risk factors for heart disease.
– Avoid drinking alcohol.
– Manage physical and psychological stress and get enough sleep.
Some people like to eat a lot of spicy food and may not be able to resist it, although this may cause some problems with the taste buds of the tongue or the digestive system, and according to the website “My Health only“, can cause Chili pepper For various digestive problems like vomiting, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, there are ways to improve spice tolerance..
Cool ingredients from your diet to soothe chili problems
Eating cooling foods like yogurt, cucumber, mint and coconut are great ways to combat the heat of burning foods as they soothe the digestive system.
Stay hydrated
Spicy foods can cause dehydration, so be sure to stay hydrated, especially when eating spicy foods, drinking water and herbs to help balance and maintain balance.
Yogurt with hot dishes
Drinking curd after eating spicy food can help in relieving the heat caused by spicy food. Curd is a classic remedy, it contains probiotics and has a soothing effect on the digestive system.
Herbs like chamomile
Herbs like cilantro can help cut down on spicy flavors. Additionally, drinking herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint after meals can also help ease digestion after a spicy meal.
The painful earthquakes in Turkey, Morocco and Afghanistan in 2023, which caused severe losses beyond thousands of deaths and injuries and severe damage to infrastructure, confirm the importance of constructing earthquake-resistant buildings. Many technological solutions are now available to increase the resistance of buildings to earthquakes, which may protect lives or mitigate their psychological and economic effects and consequences. Many international universities are also racing to develop technologies that can help predict earthquakes using artificial intelligence.
Major universities are developing new technologies to help predict earthquakes with artificial intelligence (Shutterstock).
Earthquake resistant designs
Earthquake-resistant design includes a range of technologies and methods to improve a building’s ability to withstand seismic forces. In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, architect Muhammad Obaid, founder and CEO of Emcon Architecture and Engineering Consultancy, explains the basic techniques and methods currently used in earthquake-resistant design. “Basic isolation systems range from shear walls, moment-resisting frames, anchorage systems, tuned mass dampers, viscous dampers, reinforced concrete, steel framing, flexible materials, energy dissipation devices, seismic retrofitting, design of non-structural components,” Obaid said. says. , and soil optimization, seismic hazard assessment, computer modeling and simulation, and building codes and standards.” He adds, “Engineers and architects combine these techniques and methods to create detailed earthquake-resistant designs designed to meet the specific needs and conditions of the building and its location, and the choice of techniques depends on factors such as the type of building, location, budget, and level of seismic risk.” “
Architect Mohammad Obaid is the Founder and CEO of “EMKON” Architectural and Engineering Consulting Firm (EMKON).
Restoration of old buildings
Retrofitting existing buildings with sustainable, earthquake-resistant technologies is certainly possible, but it requires careful planning, engineering expertise and compliance with local regulations. Architect Muhammad Obaid, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, believes that “existing buildings can be modernized with sustainable and earthquake-resistant technologies, although the process varies in complexity depending on the specific technologies and the structural and architectural characteristics of the building.” Some of the considerations for retrofitting existing buildings with these techniques include “structural retrofitting, material improvements, architectural considerations, engineering expertise, building codes and permits, cost considerations, phased approach, seismic evaluation and integration of sustainable technologies,” he explains. “Operational challenges and issues vary from one building to another, and a customized approach is often necessary to achieve desired seismic and sustainability goals while minimizing disruption to building occupants,” he notes.
Stanford University researchers have developed an artificial intelligence model that can predict aftershocks after an earthquake with more than 80 percent accuracy.
The model was trained on a dataset of more than 700,000 earthquakes from around the world, and it was able to identify patterns in more complex data that traditional methods could not detect, the researchers report.
The model works by analyzing seismic activity data sources, geological data and machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and trends associated with the occurrence of earthquakes. It can predict the size and timing of a setback. The model is still under development, but it can be a valuable predictive tool that can improve the accuracy and timeliness of aftershock warnings and help save lives and property.
The Japanese DLEPM model was trained on a dataset of over 10 million global seismic events (Shutterstock).
High precision Japanese model
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have succeeded in developing a model called Deep Learning Earthquake Prediction Model (DLEPM) that can predict with high accuracy by analyzing seismic activity patterns. The model was trained on a dataset of over 10 million seismic events from around the world. DLEPM analyzes a variety of data sources, including geographic data and machine learning algorithms. Japanese university researchers say it has proven to be very accurate in predicting. It is 80 percent successful in predicting magnitude 6 or greater earthquakes within a week of their occurrence.
“DLEPM” is still under development, but its potential is not limited to saving lives and property, but improving researchers’ understanding of earthquake processes and how and why they occur to develop new strategies to prevent them and mitigate their effects.
Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States is developing an artificial intelligence model that could help predict earthquakes (Shutterstock)
Prediction of crack friction
Another AI model that can predict future fault friction is called the Deep Learning Fault Friction Model (DLFFM), developed by scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US.
Trained on a dataset of more than one million laboratory earthquakes, the model analyzes various data sources to identify patterns and trends associated with fault friction. They can be used to predict future friction at a given location, and how friction will change over time. DLFFM is still under development, but could be a valuable tool for improving the accuracy and timeliness of earthquake warnings.
Kengo Kuma, a Japanese architect, used carbon fiber to stabilize buildings and protect them from earthquakes (Shutterstock)
The innovative Japanese method
Japan is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is known for frequent seismic activity, prompting the design and construction of earthquake-resistant buildings.
An architectural firm affiliated with Kengo Kuma used carbon fiber to stabilize buildings and protect them from earthquakes. These materials are made from thermoplastic carbon fiber, a material with amazing tensile strength that rivals traditional building materials like steel. The innovation provides additional reinforcement to the building structure as carbon fiber ropes extend through a metal frame above the eco-friendly roof and then drop down the sides to reach the ground. Carbon fibres, separated in curtain-like fashion, form doors that lead to interior spaces draped over time and covered in white fabric.
The Stanford model works by analyzing seismic and geological data sources and machine learning algorithms (Shutterstock).
Cost of earthquake resistant buildings
Earthquake-resistant technologies can have a significant impact on the overall cost of a construction project. While these technologies are essential to ensure a building’s safety and resilience during seismic events, they can also add cost to a project. Architect Muhammad Obaid, founder and CEO of Imcon Architecture and Engineering Consulting, explains in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsad, “The degree of this influence depends on various factors, including specific technologies, the location of the project, the type of building and the level of seismic hazards. “Earthquake He believes that resisting technologies, materials and components, complexity of structural design, special systems, foundation systems, quality control and inspection, architectural modifications, seismic retrofits, local building codes, and degree of seismic risk affect construction costs. Project size and complexity and maintenance and life cycle costs.
While earthquake-resistant technologies add upfront construction costs, they also lead to long-term benefits. Architect Muhammad Obaid says, “These benefits include increased safety, lower repair and reconstruction costs after an earthquake, and a possible reduction in insurance premiums. Some regions offer incentives or subsidies to cover the initial costs of incorporating earthquake-resistant technologies.” Generally, building an earthquake-resistant building costs more than a conventional building. According to architect Muhammad Obaid, this cost is “10 percent to 30 percent more than the cost of building a conventional building.”
Some metabolic disorders can cause bad breath due to various problems in the intestines, blood or liver.
The following are the most important medical conditions that can cause complications:
diabetes
A common condition that causes bad breath in the mouth and throat is diabetes because high glucose levels can cause the growth of harmful bacteria.
Because people with diabetes have insulin problems, cells may not get the glucose they need for energy, and instead the body starts burning fat-forming compounds called ketones.
Ketones accumulate in the blood and urine and cause bad breath.
One of these ketones is acetone, and it can cause breath to smell like nail polish.
If someone with diabetes notices the smell, they should seek medical advice as it could be due to diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition.
Liver disease
If a person’s breath has a strong, foul smell, this is a sign that the liver is not filtering out toxins.
Doctors call this distinctive smell “the breath of the dead” because of its association with severe and fatal liver disease.
Kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter the blood properly, which is why excess fluids and waste from the blood can build up in the body and cause other health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
People with kidney failure may develop bad breath.
As the kidneys begin to fail, the metabolic urea cannot be excreted effectively in the urine, and it accumulates in the blood and saliva.
The body converts urea into ammonia, which causes bitterness in the mouth and bad breath.
One in three people on dialysis say their breath smells like urine.
