WRITE UP ON PINKATHON AND DIABETES-CUM-ANAEMIA CAMP

ON 22ND NOVEMBER 2013 AT YWCA, COLABA, MUMBAI

At the start of the meeting, President, Yvonne Alphonso welcomed our Guest, Mr. MilindSoman, eminent Bollywood Star and sportsman, who came to propagate PINKATHON, a marathon race to be held on 15th December 2013, to spread message about awareness of Breast Cancer. This marathon includes running span of 10 km, 5km and 3 km walk. It is conducted in four cities i.e. Bangalore, Delhi, Pune and Mumbai.

Mr. Milind spoke in depth about how important it is for a women to have awareness about their self care, fitness, regular exercises and proper diet to balance our stressful life. He appealed to all to spread a word in our office, amongst our bosses, colleagues and every women to take part in PINKATHON, to be sponsors and support him towards this noble cause for the betterment of our future, our health and our children’s health and their future too. One of our members, who is a Breast Cancer survivor shared her experience with us of how she overcame the disease with the help and support of her family, friends and above all her strong will power to live for her family and herself. Mr. Milind congratulated her for her courage and optimist attitude towards life and thus the evening with him was concluded.

But, that was not all, our Monthly Meet of 22nd November 2013 sponsors, Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals took over from where it was left by Mr. MilindSoman.

Our guest of honour for the rest of the evening was Dr. Ashok Moses, Medical Advisor at Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals. He passed out from JSS Medical College, Mysore in 1992, after which he practiced at Bombay Hospital for four years. He then went to the UK for two years, where he pursued the Senior Resident in Cardiology under Dr. Eric Borges and was in charge of the ICCU where he assisted Dr. Borges in various cardiac procedures. In 2001, he started private practice in IC Colony, Borivli and continues till date. Dr. Moses was assisted by Mr. Neville Mesquitta, Mr. Jason Nazareth and Mr. TauseefAhamad in conducting the Diabetes-Anaemia detection camp at our Meet.

Dr. Moses explained Diabetes as a deficiency of a particular hormone. The two types of Diabetes are Type-I and Type-II. Person suffering from Type-I diabetes needs to take Insulin to keep it under control. Type-II diabetes starts off in people at very young age and who are obese. A person whose BMI [Body Mass Index] is above 29 or 30 is termed as obese. Diabetes can be controlled by losing weight.

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Some valuable tips, she shared with us were :

  • Exercise is a must. Take a nice walk for half an hour daily
  • Don’t starve. Eat five times a day but in small quantity.
  • “Breakfast like a king, Lunch like a common man and Dinner like a pauper”. Follow this golden rule and stay healthy
  • Eat only one fruit a day. For e.g. : one apple or one banana. Papaya is the best. And a BIG NO for chikoo, mango and custard apple [at the most you can consume one in a week]
  • Gestational Diabetes is the Diabetes in pregnant women. During this period if the blood sugar is high, it means that care should be taken as Diabetes will be detected later on in life.
  • People who are suffering from high BP, obesity and/or are of 45 years and above should go for a routine test once in a year.
  • Women should go in for a Mammography, Liquid Profile and Paap smear test which will save a lot of future troubles.
  • Invest in good and comfortable footwear. Use kegs.
  • Take good care of skin and eyes as the diabetes may lead to loss of vision.
  • Have everything but in moderation.

Symptoms of Diabetes

  1. Excessive hunger and weight loss
  2. Frequent urination i.e two to three times at night
  3. Feeling thirsty
  4. Blurd vision
  5. Slow healing of wounds
  6. Burning sensation in the feet and numbness

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Diabetes affects the kidney in the long run. Ten to twenty years since diabetes is diagnosed, the kidney gets affected or may even fail which leads to dialysis. Once Diabetes is detected, it may lead to heart troubles causing blocks in the heart, which in turns causes heart attack. This could be fatal and hence should be monitored regularly. Some drugs may cause diabetes, which when stopped can only reduce the level of diabetes or be controlled. BUT ONCE A DIABETIC, IS ALWAYS A DIABETIC.

To conclude, the most important of all, INSULIN is not addictive, its only a SUPPLEMENTARY.

So dear friends, we have to take charge of ourselves because its only we who can change ourselves.

STAY BLESSED AND BE HEALTHY.

The ‘healthy’ evening ended by a vote of thanks by the undersigned to both our guests of honour.

PRIYA SUDHIR

CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA