CARiNG's "Live Well With Diabetes" Public Forum
On Saturday, we attended a public forum organised by CARiNG, called "Live Well With Diabetes".
Although we are not diabetes sufferer (and I hope to stay that way!), we thought it's a good chance to learn more about diabetes and ways to prevent it.
So thank you CARiNG for organising it!
To commemorate World Diabetes Day 2019, CARiNG together with Nestle Health Science, proudly presented the inaugural "Live Well With Diabetes" Public Forum on Saturday, November 2nd 2019 at the Oak Hall, Menara OBYU, Damansara Perdana, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
According to Ministry of Health, some 3.6 million Malaysians are suffering from diabetes, which is the highest rate of incidence in Asia, and one of the highest in the world! It is also estimated that seven million Malaysian adults are likely to have diabetes by 2025. As a leading pharmacy chain in Malaysia, CARiNG plays an active part in raising awareness on diabetes, and provides value added services to patients living with diabetes.
Among the highlight of the forum was The Glucocare Challenge and certificate presentation to participants who took part in the three-month challenge comprising patient counseling, regular blood sugar level monitoring and a specially crafted meal plan that adopted Nestle Health Science's NUTREN Untuk Diabetik.
"Diabetes is a condition at the forefront of our organisation's focus, and we are proud that the "Live Well With Diabetes" forum, is one of CARiNG Pharmacy's many public outreach programmes to help raise awareness of the condition. We are delighted to partner with Nestle Health Science, and take the opportunity to share positive results yielded from our Glucocare Challenge collaboration. The challenge demonstrated positive change for those who took part and truly supported the participants to take charge of their health", CARiNG Pharmacy Managing Director Mr CHong Yeow Siang commented on the success of the challenge.
Attendees of the "Live Well With Diabetes" Public Forum were presented with an opportunity to understand and learn about the role of nutrition in the management of diabetes through special educational stations placed throughout the hall. Each station housed a specific theme to educate participants on their diet, nutrition, and exercise.
Healthcare experts from Becton Dickinson Sdn Bhd, Duopharma Biotech Berhad and Bionime Malaysia Sdn Bhd were invited to give a talk on myths and misconceptions of dealing with diabetes and insulin, insulin injection techniques and diabetes e-health ecosystem.
Nestle Health Science's dietitian Ms Rachel Liu also shared on how we can find the perfect balance by introducing meal replacements as part of our daily meal planning. She later delivered a compelling presentation on the importance of creating a balanced food plan with the inclusion of a diabetic specific formula suitable for those with diabetes.
This year, CARiNG is also introducing a new pharmacy service for the community - CARiNG Diabetes Management System (DMS). DMS is a virtual platform that links pharmacists and patients to monitor blood sugar level readings by reducing travelling time, data transfer errors, and improve blood sugar management efficiency. With the Rightest Care Mobile App, CARiNG pharmacists will assist the patients to live well with diabetes.
Some summary of the topics at the public forum:
MS RACHEL LIU
- DIETITION FROM NESTLE HEALTH SCIENCE
TOPIC : GLUCOCARE PROGRAMME
1. Malaysia has the highest prevalence’s of T2DM and obesity in this region.
2. Nutrition is one of the key points in managing T2DM. Aside from diabetes-friendly meals, important to have breakfast.
3. Studies found people who eat breakfast experience smaller glucose spikes after meals.
4. Meal replacement drinks with slow-release carbohydrates, whey protein, monounsaturated fats, low GI a good choice of breakfast for people with diabetes.
5. Weight loss up to 10% of body weight in 6 months recommended. Meal replacement drinks as described in 4 can support effective weight loss too.
DR SHALENA NESARATNAM
- Consultant Endocrinologist & Physician of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang
& Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre , Klang
TOPIC : LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES
1. Four types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, prediabetes.
2. Mild or early diabetes may not have symptoms so screening is important. If you do experience possible symptoms, consult a doctor.
3. Long term complications of diabetes affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and more.
4. Dietary management is important, along with physical activity and medications.
5. Blood glucose monitoring 2 to 6 times a day. But if the cost of sugar strips becomes too high, monitoring twice a week is fine.
DR FOO SIEW HUI
- Consultant Endocrinologist / Physician and Head of Endocrine Unit at Selayang
Hospital.
- Consultant Endocrinologist at Subang Jaya Medical Centre.
TOPIC : INSULIN – MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
1. Common Myths
Myth 1 : Insulin causes kidney failure, amputation, blindness and death.
Myth 2: Insulin means death sentence?
Myth 3: Blood glucose is still high despite on insulin. This insulin brand not suitable, don’t know what the doctor doing.
2. Personalised therapy customised to individual BG levels, type of diabetes, stage of the disease etc, discuss with doctor on the insulin type that suits your life.
3. Insulin will be required at some stage when your BG is very high or your diabetes progressed numbers of years.
4. Barrier in insulin therapy: perception that the therapy is complex, lack of motivation.
5. Personal commitment to self care is the key to success in insulin therapy. Achieving optimal blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight are important on top of controlling BG.
MS SIAH GUAN JIAN
- Principal Diabetes Educator Institut Jantung Negara
TOPIC : DOES INSULIN INJECTION TECHNIQUE MATTER
1. Yes it does. It is important to learn the right injection technique, accurate needle size, rotation and the right way to store insulin.
2. A good injection technique is safe , effective and comfort for diabetes patients.
3. The needle must be injected into subcutaneous (SC) Adipose tissue and avoid the muscle.
4. 4mm pen needles may significantly lower the risk of intramuscular injections.
5. Cloudy insulin / premixed insulin must be resuspended prior to each injection.
6. Abdomen and thighs is the most fastest and consistent Injection sites for adults.
7. Lipohypertrophy (Lipo) is a build up fatty lumps that occur when patients repeatedly inject diabetes medication into the same injection site. It may affect future insulin absorption.
8. Needle single use only. Strictly none reusable.
Indeed, the takeaway message we got after attending this forum is, to take care of our health, watch what we eat and exercise!
Lead a healthier lifestyle to avoid future medical isssues.
By the way, do you know that in promoting "Healthy Life. Happy Life", CARiNG Pharmacy is also bringing the #KamiCaring Run 2019 at Perdana Botanical Garden, Kuala Lumpur on 17 November 2019 from 6:00am to 10:00 am?
Great job in promoting a healthier lifestlye, CARiNG!
Some summary of the topics at the public forum:
MS RACHEL LIU
- DIETITION FROM NESTLE HEALTH SCIENCE
TOPIC : GLUCOCARE PROGRAMME
1. Malaysia has the highest prevalence’s of T2DM and obesity in this region.
2. Nutrition is one of the key points in managing T2DM. Aside from diabetes-friendly meals, important to have breakfast.
3. Studies found people who eat breakfast experience smaller glucose spikes after meals.
4. Meal replacement drinks with slow-release carbohydrates, whey protein, monounsaturated fats, low GI a good choice of breakfast for people with diabetes.
5. Weight loss up to 10% of body weight in 6 months recommended. Meal replacement drinks as described in 4 can support effective weight loss too.
DR SHALENA NESARATNAM
- Consultant Endocrinologist & Physician of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang
& Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre , Klang
TOPIC : LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES
1. Four types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, prediabetes.
2. Mild or early diabetes may not have symptoms so screening is important. If you do experience possible symptoms, consult a doctor.
3. Long term complications of diabetes affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and more.
4. Dietary management is important, along with physical activity and medications.
5. Blood glucose monitoring 2 to 6 times a day. But if the cost of sugar strips becomes too high, monitoring twice a week is fine.
DR FOO SIEW HUI
- Consultant Endocrinologist / Physician and Head of Endocrine Unit at Selayang
Hospital.
- Consultant Endocrinologist at Subang Jaya Medical Centre.
TOPIC : INSULIN – MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
1. Common Myths
Myth 1 : Insulin causes kidney failure, amputation, blindness and death.
Myth 2: Insulin means death sentence?
Myth 3: Blood glucose is still high despite on insulin. This insulin brand not suitable, don’t know what the doctor doing.
2. Personalised therapy customised to individual BG levels, type of diabetes, stage of the disease etc, discuss with doctor on the insulin type that suits your life.
3. Insulin will be required at some stage when your BG is very high or your diabetes progressed numbers of years.
4. Barrier in insulin therapy: perception that the therapy is complex, lack of motivation.
5. Personal commitment to self care is the key to success in insulin therapy. Achieving optimal blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight are important on top of controlling BG.
MS SIAH GUAN JIAN
- Principal Diabetes Educator Institut Jantung Negara
TOPIC : DOES INSULIN INJECTION TECHNIQUE MATTER
1. Yes it does. It is important to learn the right injection technique, accurate needle size, rotation and the right way to store insulin.
2. A good injection technique is safe , effective and comfort for diabetes patients.
3. The needle must be injected into subcutaneous (SC) Adipose tissue and avoid the muscle.
4. 4mm pen needles may significantly lower the risk of intramuscular injections.
5. Cloudy insulin / premixed insulin must be resuspended prior to each injection.
6. Abdomen and thighs is the most fastest and consistent Injection sites for adults.
7. Lipohypertrophy (Lipo) is a build up fatty lumps that occur when patients repeatedly inject diabetes medication into the same injection site. It may affect future insulin absorption.
8. Needle single use only. Strictly none reusable.
Indeed, the takeaway message we got after attending this forum is, to take care of our health, watch what we eat and exercise!
Lead a healthier lifestyle to avoid future medical isssues.
By the way, do you know that in promoting "Healthy Life. Happy Life", CARiNG Pharmacy is also bringing the #KamiCaring Run 2019 at Perdana Botanical Garden, Kuala Lumpur on 17 November 2019 from 6:00am to 10:00 am?
Great job in promoting a healthier lifestlye, CARiNG!
It's good to learn and be aware so that we can prevent and also share the knowledge with others.
ReplyDeleteAgree
DeleteFor some reasons, this Caring pharmacy is always my favourite due to their constant promo prices. I like!
ReplyDeleteAt my recent Class of Form 5 gathering in Penang, I was sad to learn so many friends kena heart diseases, stroke, diabetes and lain lain lagi. Kudos to Caring for the awareness.
Indeed, it's such a great initiative from them
Deletevery informative!
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
Delete