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| Wednesday, 11 August 2004 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera The Legal Officers' Association of the Legal Draftsman's Department held a seminar titled "Challenge to Health in Present Day Conditions. Are we prepared?" at the Ministry of Justice Auditorium recently. Ms. Mano Ramanathan, President of the Legal Officers' Association of the Legal Draftsman's Department delivered the welcome speech. Dr. Udul Hewage, Senior Lecturer in Medicine, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayawardenapura speaking on "Living with Diabetes" said that Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome characterized by the raised glucose concentration in the blood due to the deficiency or diminished effectiveness of insulin. (Insulin is produced in our body by a gland known as the pancreas). The condition shows itself by symptoms like excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive hunger, unexplained weight-loss, failing sight, cracks in the foreskin and delay in wound healing. Why do we get diabetes? Dr. Hewage emphasised it is hereditary, change in dietary pattern, lack of exercise and mental stress. In general a diabetic patient needs a normal balance, high fibre diet, strict weight control (by controlling the calories) exercise and extremely moderate use of alcoholic beverages, together with medication (if required); refined carbohydrates sugar in particular to be avoided. Sri Jayawardepura Hospital, Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Naomali Amerasena speaking on, "Taking care of your blood pressure" said that blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Not taking care of one's pressure increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This is a leading cause of death. Heart, Brain, kidneys and eyes could be affected by high blood pressure. The three biggest risk factors for coronary heart disease are high plasma total cholesterol, cigarette smoking and high blood pressure (hypertension), Dr. Naomali Amarasena said and added the other risk factors are diabetes, obesity and in some cases, gout. Deposition of cholesterol on the inner aspect of the walls of the arteries is part of the process of formation of atherosclerosis, the pathological basis of coronary heart disease. In the case of high blood pressure, which is mostly associated with coronary heart disease, a low salt diet is advised. Vegetables, fruits, cereals, skimmed milk and lean meat should be the main items of diet. Drinking plenty of water is advised; walking, cycling is recommended. There is evidence that physical activity protects against coronary heart disease, Dr. Naomali Amerasena added. Dr. Dennis Aloysius delivered a very educative and a useful presentation flavoured with his own inimitable style of humour. The president Ms. Ramanathan thanked Legal Draftsman President's Counsel Ms. Therese Perera, Justice Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath, Constitutional Affairs Secretary Ms. Malkanthi Wickremasinghe, President's Counsel Desmond Fernando, Ms. Dhara Wijayatilaka, Ministry of Justice Additional Secretary Ms. Lalani Perera, Anil Gooneratne, Deputy Solicitor General Ms. Eva Wanasundera, State Counsel Ms. Nandani Nikapitiya for their participation. |
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