Health

1 in 4 UAE residents unaware of health issues

1 in 4 were found to have elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels.

The National staff

November 17, 2014

DUBAI // 1,500 residents got complimentary health check-ups and healthcare advice as part of an awareness drive.

Organised by Lifeline Healthcare, the check-ups are part of a three-day ‘Family Health Awareness Drive’ being conducted at the Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai from November 6-8.

The drive offered free blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI) and tympanometry tests. Consultations for dental care, paediatric care, gynaecology and audiometry were also available with medical experts on hand to offer advice.

Advet Bhambhani, Chairman, Lifeline Healthcare Group, said: “Our early analysis from screenings reveals that nearly one in every four participants who underwent tests either had elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels. A greater area of concern was the fact that they were unaware of the abnormal levels. We are still analysing the information and plan to carry out an in-depth study to establish emerging trends. However, this initial assessment further strengthens our resolve to conduct such campaigns on a regular basis.”

newsdesk@thenational.ae

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.

The Two Popes

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce 

Four out of five stars

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. 

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs