Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Winter Affects Diabetic Patients


Sun 11 Dec 2022 | 09:54 AM
Elham Aboul Fateh
Elham Aboul Fateh
Elham AboulFateh

Winter contributes to increased woes for diabetes.

We know that the incidence of diabetes in Egypt is one of the highest rates, according to the International Federation of Diabetes, Egypt is among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of diabetes, and the incidence rate of children and adults with type 1 diabetes is about 175,000.

The winter season has begun with its cold winds.. and it seems good to stay up late in front of the TV for hours, with the desire to eat, but unfortunately all this is nothing but surrendering to diabetes, and this is what Dr. Muhammad Hussein Abbas, Fellow at the Royal College of Diabetes and Endocrinologists, with well-known TV host Hamdi Rizk in his very useful episode during Nazra program on Sada El-Balad satellite channel. 

The episode focused on very important information, advice and solutions.

● Diabetes is not limited to the elderly, but it also affects kids and school children who depend on fast food, French fries and other unhealthy meals.

● Diabetic coma may occur with children and the elderly, and may lead to death, so there must be candy or juices permanently in the school bag that the child eats when he feels the trembling of his limbs.

● There are indications that I did not know about low blood sugar, such as nightmares and disturbing dreams at night. "“If the patient had a nightmare, he should check his blood sugar level, and if it is low, he must eat something sweet.”

● Diabetes can be treated as soon as it is discovered, with the importance of avoiding smoking, and controlling the level of blood pressure and fats.

● unlike what is common about the hereditary transmission of type 1 diabetes, the  rate of the hereditary transmission is ranging from 30 to 50%. This means that “the one who had diabetes when he was young, it is not necessary to bring a child with diabetes.”

● To sum up, winter provides an environment for the spread of respiratory viruses and asthma and heart attacks, as it offers an opportunity for high levels of cumulative sugar.

● The winter season is a challenge for diabetics, so they must keep physical activity, especially walking from 20 to 30 minutes.

● For the prevention of diabetes, Dr. Hussein advised us to eat  Egyptian beans for breakfast, because legumes help regulate sugar levels in the body, and they contain a lot of protein. It is also preferable to eat boiled eggs rather than fried ones.