One of the kingdom’s most popular radio voices has shared his personal story with diabetes and offered encouraging words of advice to people who are battling with the disease.
Ali Dawood, widely known as Radio Bahrain’s (96.5FM) UrbanSoundTracks host, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes more than 20 years ago and hopes that his experience will inspire others to pursue their dreams and aspirations despite living with the condition.
“I was diagnosed as a teenager and I recall the overwhelming shock I felt when I was told that I had Type 1 diabetes,” the 43-year-old, who also works as Bapco Refining’s corporate social responsibility co-ordinator, told GDN Media as part of an ongoing Annual Ramadan Community Campaign in support of Bahrain Diabetes Society.
“Some of the symptoms I had included being thirsty all the time, constantly needing to use the toilet, having very sugary urine and always feeling tired. I was also losing weight and becoming weaker, and at that age, you should be full of energy, so I realised something was wrong.
“I underwent some tests and my glucose levels came back high. The doctor told me that my pancreas was not working properly, meaning it could not produce insulin. None of my family members had a history of diabetes, so it was a surprise.”
Type 1 diabetes is a life-long autoimmune disease that prevents the pancreas from making insulin, an important hormone that regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
It requires daily management with insulin injections and blood sugar monitoring. If a person does not have enough insulin, too much sugar builds up in the blood, causing hyperglycemia. This can lead to serious health problems or even death if it is not treated.
“Once reality set in after the diagnosis, I realised that this was something I would have to deal with for the rest of my life, and the diagnosis taught me a lot about myself,” he said, adding that he learned how to be more in control, as well as how to commit and stick to a routine.
“People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin every day in order to live and be healthy, so it is important that I monitor my sugar, eat healthily and workout to live the healthiest life I can. I take insulin before every meal.
“I also use a CGM to track my glucose levels throughout the day and night, which helps me monitor my levels and understand what I need to do to manage each day.
“My diagnosis also inspired me to take on new challenges in my life and in 2019, I completed Ironman 70.3 Bahrain; it was a massive accomplishment.”
The father-of-one also explained that he would not reverse his diagnosis if he could go back in time, since it made him ‘a better person’.
“I look at situations differently now and I am a much better person because of it. Most importantly, it hasn’t stopped me from living out my dreams, as I have been working with Radio Bahrain for around 20 years now playing genres such as reggae, R&B, hip-hop and afrobeats.
“I also recently had the opportunity to open for British rapper Central Cee and Metro Boomin which was very cool.”
He highlighted that he encourages anyone battling with their diagnosis to remember that learning about diabetes and working with it will help them manage the disease and enjoy life more.
“It is important that you understand diabetes and your body so that you know how much insulin to take and the routine that works best for you,” he said. “And, do not let this kill your dreams, instead, allow it to change your life for the better and fulfil them.”
Anyone can develop Type 1 diabetes, though the most common age at diagnosis is between the ages of four to six and in early puberty (10 to 14 years).
Another form of the illness is Type 2 diabetes where your pancreas does not make enough insulin or your body does not always use the insulin as it should – usually due to insulin resistance.
Type 2 diabetes usually affects older adults, though it is becoming more common in children. More than 15 per cent of adults in Bahrain are diabetic, with the main reasons including genetics, lower physical activity, higher weight, imbalanced diet and lack of proper sleep.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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