AL KHOBAR: Over 700 medical practitioners who participated in the Second Symposium on Chronic Diabetes Complications organized and sponsored by the Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association (SDEA) last weekend were urged to keep themselves updated on the new guidelines and management regime in the fight against diabetes. Dr. Sami Mohammed Sokair, co-president of SDEA, addressing the symposium, said medical practitioners and staff who are updated on new ways to fight diabetes will be making a significant contribution to reducing the risks from complications arising from the chronic disease. He emphasized the importance of updating medical staff with the latest methods for managing diabetes and of enhancing their knowledge, skills, and clinical practice when dealing with diabetic patients. “It is essential that we, in the forefront of fighting diabetes, realize that chronic diabetes complications are related to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, nerves, kidneys, skin, sexualdysfunction, foot problems, etc.,” Sokair told doctors, specialists, nurses and paramedical personnel from various government and private hospitals and clinics across the Eastern Province who attended the forum. Other speakers who addressed the forum were Professor Abdulaziz Al-Mulhim, chairman of the SDEA scientific committee, and Dr. Jafar Al-Khallaf, SDEA program director. Both stressed the need for the collaborative work of multidisciplinary teams in managing diabetes complications. Dr. Basem Futa, head of the SDEA education committee, highlighted the importance of educating patients and their families on diet, medications, exercise, and weight control to achieve the objectives of reducing and managing the risks of chronic diabetes complications. At the end of the symposium, the organizers released the guidelines that will help reduce the risk of complications. The guidelines are maintaining careful control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids and increasing good cholesterol, following special diets for kidney failure and cardiac complications, maintaining body weight within a normal range, reducing the intake of fat and salt, engaging in regular, moderate exercise, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and undergoing regular medical examinations.
