I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes for the past 16 years, but I still remember vividly when I was diagnosed at the age of 9. It came as a surprise, and we all thought it might be hereditary, but at the time we were not aware of anyone in the family being diabetic. I was not in a state of shock or sadness; I simply had to live with it.
Diabetics refer to this disease as the “silent killer” and understand it can gradually kill us if we do not look after ourselves. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease that causes the pancreas to stop producing insulin. Type 2 diabetes is generally brought on by poor lifestyle choices and being overweight.
Both types can damage the kidneys, eyes, and even lead to amputation of the legs in severe cases.
Despite this danger I have to admit that in the past few years I have not taken care of myself very well or used my insulin properly. Over the past 12 months, I have progressively neglected to check my blood glucose levels. I just rely on taking my injections and guessing my sugar levels based on whether or not I am hydrated, dehydrated or cranky, all of which can be an indicator of my sugar levels. It seems most diabetics count their calories in order to inject the right amount of insulin. The problem is not that I am not aware, but that too often I choose not to care.
In May this year, I took a holiday with my family to San Francisco. During the lead-up to the trip I was feeling feeble, but I kept ignoring it. Wanting to travel, I chose not to deal with myself. This led to a traumatic event for my family and me.
As the plane took off, I put my head back and slept. During the flight I woke up with sudden dehydration. I couldn’t eat or drink and was extremely nauseated. I had no idea what was wrong with me. The flight attendant believed my situation was serious and they were debating whether to divert the flight, but my father refused until we arrived in San Francisco.
At the time I did not know that things would get uglier when I arrived there. It was a holiday that turned into a nightmare.
I was rushed to hospital the next day, learning that I had high ketoacids, which means having a poor control of the body’s sugar level – highly dangerous because it can lead to a coma or death. I also had a lot of abdomen pain, and not even painkillers could help. At that moment I felt like I had nothing to lose. I had thought I was dominant and healthy. I thought I was on top of the world and then all of a sudden I was on a hospital bed sheet.
I was poked several times a day with needles and I felt consumed with IV acid. My physical body was in total shutdown mode. The painkillers also made me even more fragile than I already was. Spitting out saliva and vomiting turned into my daily routine. It made me lose my appetite and made me feel crazy. Being on a strict liquid diet was one of the most unpleasant things at the hospital, and I decided to dismiss the food courses.
After nine days of misery and tiredness, I slowly regained my strength and began looking after myself more.
To this day I am still not in full control. I have my good days and bad days, but I want to have more good days and thinking about these makes me go on and take more care of myself. After this traumatic event, I learnt to overcome my fear of checking my sugar levels. I have also learnt that I need to be more aware of my diet.
The consequences of poor control over sugar levels is deadly. I therefore had to get a grip on my lifestyle before it was too late. I am still young, but I know that the best way to avoid diseases is to take control of yourself and your life. We as humans have to learn that we do have control over ourselves and our health.
Maryam Al Shamsi is a trainee reporter as part of The National’s trainee programme.
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
If%20you%20go
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
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- It can be as long as you link
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- That's about it
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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