Diabetes concerns clarified in PDA lay forum

Prevention of diabetes and its complications, discrimination against diabetics in the workplace, use and abuse of some food supplements – these were just some of the topics discussed during a special lay forum sponsored recently by the Philippine Diabetes Association (PDA) to promote diabetes awareness among Filipinos.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Tommy Ty Willing, PDA vice president, said the activity was conducted to address the worries and concerns of diabetic patients and more importantly, to empower patients by giving them the right information about diabetes.

During the forum, renowned local experts discussed important topics concerning diabetes.

Dr. Cynthia Halili-Manabat, an endocrinologist at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, talked about prevention of type 2 diabetes, especially for those who are at risk – the patients’ family and relatives.

She explained that genetic factors predispose a person to acquiring the disease, hence, it is especially important for them to have a healthy lifestyle.

Citing various studies, Manabat said healthy lifestyle – eating nutritious foods and doing away with the unhealthful ones, having a regular exercise, and smoking cessation, among others – can counter one’s predisposition to the disease.

Manabat added that pre-disposed individuals should be watchful of their fat intake and should try to achieve their ideal blood glucose.

This, according to her, is because one out of 10 people who are at risk of the disease eventually develop the condition.

Drs. Roberto Mirasol, Rosa Allyn Sy and Gabriel Jasul clarified the issues concerning food supplements and alternative drugs for diabetes.

They specified the credible medicines the patients may take while warning them against taking medications that do not have adequate scientific evidence. Diabetics should not take any food supplement without their doctor’s advice.

Another issue discussed during the forum is the employability of diabetic patients. According to Willing, diabetes may lead to complications if not properly managed. As such, we "cannot blame employers to be wary about hiring people with the condition."

However, complications don’t often happen, provided the patients properly manage their disease. "I don’t see any reason why diabetes patients should be discriminated in the workplace, or to be denied a job they are qualified to take. Diabetic patients can – and do – perform like any normal person," he said.

Finally, Dr. Susan Yu-Gan lectured on painful diabetes mellitus neuropaththies, while nutrition experts Sanirose Orbeta and Imelda Cardino talked about fats and carbohydrates.