Category: Health & Fitness

COPD and how careful we need to be

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Atlantis...venue for the COPD symposium

Earlier this week after dinner I got coaxed into meeting with a couple of specialist doctors on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) initiated by Virtue guys who felt that since I didn’t have time to volunteer at the Down’s Syndrome centre these days, I should become an ambassador on health and write about medical issues that affect people in the UAE.

OK. Enough with the smirks now. I know I generally write about flimsy light stuff but once in a while I can get serious enough if I feel like doing a bit of CSR bit in terms of creating awareness about a problem that anyone can be a victim of. Anyway, Rajah (Bless her gentle soul) decided that she would drive me to Atlantis (We Fijians are always ready to help people for good causes) so we could dine afterwards at one of the funky Atlantis food places.

Basically I got a quick update on proceedings of a medical symposium co-organised by the Emirates Allergy and Respiratory Society, in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceuticals FZCO. Their objective is to warn people that while most chronic diseases in the UAE are being controlled, the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is rapidly increasing, with 4 per cent of the Abu Dhabi population affected by it, according to recent study done by Dr. Ashraf H. Alzaabi, Head of Respiratory Division, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Dr. Mirza Ali Al Sayegh, President, Emirates Allergy and Respiratory Society said a new study on COPD is being conducted by the Society to cover the whole GCC region and its details would be announced soon.

Dr. Bassam Mahboub, Consultant Pulmonary Medicine, Asst. Prof. University of Sharjah, Head of Allergy and Respiratory Department, Dubai Hospital and Vice Chair Emirates Allergy and Respiratory Society Dubai, UAE said: “COPS is currently the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. The prevalence of smoking in the UAE is around 23 percent. The 4 percent figure of the COPD prevalence will rise as the smokers’ group in the UAE grows older.”

I briefly met with Professor Leonardo Fabbri, an expert from the University of Modena in Italy, Reggio Emilia who said “The WHO estimates 80 million people have moderate to severe COPD worldwide. Three million people died from COPD, which corresponded to five percent of all deaths globally. Every hour COPD is estimated to kill more than 250 people worldwide, which means that COPD kills someone every 15 seconds.’

Dr. Al Sayegh alerted participants that COPD is an under-diagnosed, life-threatening lung disease. COPD is used to describe chronic lung diseases in which breathing is severely restricted because of lung damage and inflammation. He emphasized that the disease is preventable and can be managed but it is progressive.

Dr. Osama Al-Nawasany, Medical Affairs Director, Takeda Pharmaceuticals FZCO, Dubai mentioned that one of the most promising new treatments for COPD is Roflumilast, a first-in-class phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitor that is the only licensed oral therapy that targets COPD-specific inflammation.

The symposium highlighted that many people with COPD continue to suffer from frequent exacerbations and an increased risk of a more rapid disease progression. Smoking cigarettes is the major cause of COPD in 80 per cent of cases. Other causes include: pollution generated by a number of domestic heaters and air pollution. Besides smoking cessation, there are several treatments, which should be closely monitored by qualified physicians. Self-medication is not an option for this disease.

Going back to Muay Thai

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Apart from getting married in Thailand + loving Thai food and spa sessions, 5 years ago I developed a fascination for Muay Thai thanks to my ex-boss who introduced me to the National Muay Thai Team of the UAE who were about to leave for a International Championship in Thailand. (Who can forget the gorgeous Scorpion). After learning more about the sport from the Thai General Consul, I ventured to a few classes armed with gloves and guard to the nearby gym.

Like many things, I delved into it briefly as I normally do because I have a zest for life and believe in trying out anything that remotely fascinates me…I see it more as a learning experience than as a been there done that sort of thing. Anyway, I changed jobs, became a workaholic and my physical exercise sessions, travel for culture, dance etc became a thing of the past.

More recently I realised that I was becoming a boring person…last year I actually felt someone close to me behind the scenes preferred fun times with other people as all I was about was work and on assessment I realised it was true. I was too busy to take care of myself physically, emotionally, mentally etc and promised to throw myself into interesting things after work to get my energy levels up again and become balanced. Now that I’ve completed my bellydancing, Muay Thai is back in my books as my next big thing.

Last night after a particularly difficult day, I met with Dennis at Safa Park for my training – he put me through the paces with a quick run and sprint (I was breathless after) before we started on the jabs, crosses & hooks. It brought back memories of how I used to be so grounded and balanced on my feet before as yesterday I was out of my depth. It took an hour before I could go back to the levels I was 5 years ago and I was tired. Where I got the energy to pick my daughter up and go see friends at Bussola afterwards, I have no idea. But my daughter was adamant about seeing my friend Leila despite it being near 10.30pm so I gave in.

I was yawning on the way home and learnt that if a sport keeps you grounded, disciplined and keeps you healthy, don’t give it up. Another mistake I hope to correct this week amongst many others I made over the last few years!

Rugby World Cup 2011

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While the Kiwis are gearing up for the much-anticipated Rugby World Cup 2011, the rugby fever in Fiji for the World Cup is equally festive and addictive. There seems to be talk of the big event in the Pacific in all shops, homes, playgrounds etc. (I have returned to the UAE with two official World Cup Rugby balls courtesy of Nadi’s Courts Mega Store who felt my reward for spending over FJD6,000/- for furniture with them entitled me to get nothing but the best I could take from Fiji). Naturally that meant something associated to rugby, the sea or crafts so here I am with two rugby balls I am meant to take to the World Cup for autographs from muscular, hunky, gorgeous, half naked men running around the field battling to get a trophy for their high levels of testosterones.

Mind you, in another context, going up to get an autograph from a hunky obliging dude would be absolutely fantastic but nothing would make me battle the crowds in a World Cup to do this. Afterall, I am on first name basis with rugby legend, Waisale Serevi – what more could a woman want in life???

Punters estimate that there would be about 4 million people venturing into New Zealand for the Rugby world Cup 2011. But from what I hear, this is not necessarily the only attraction our gorgeous Pacific Island has to offer. Alongside the World Cup will be another festival running from Sept 9 to Oct 23 bringing together a host of arts, culture, cuisine, history etc throughout the country.

Visitors will definitely be enthralled with the rich Maori culture, which is very similar to Fijian culture as well as the country’s sophisticated cuisine, wine and arts shows. My fondest memories of New Zealand is about yummy milk, chocolates, corned mutton (Best in the world) and their craft made from wood. One of my favourite pieces at home is a beautiful wooden tabletop oval clock from New Zealand that would always remain timeless no matter where I live and what deco I have in my house.

In Fiji, people are already talking about the World Cup with as much enthusiasm and vigour as they would about their annual festivals like the Hibiscus, sugar or Bula festivals where everyone gathers to have a good time.

Me, I will have my official World Cup rugby balls pumped up and ready for rugby players I deem worth my charming while perhaps at Dubai 7s. Afterall, this diva will not just settle for anyone who has got into the world cup – only ones who come close to the benchmark set by the likes of Serevi!