MORE than 60 per cent of Bahrainis use complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat diabetes and other conditions, it has emerged.
CAM users are more likely to be women, have had diabetes for a longer period of time or have complications with their illness, according to research conducted by Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI-Bahrain) students.
The research showed that the prevalence of CAM use among the 402 participants was higest in those suffering from diabetes.
A total of 62.7 per cent (252 patients) use such treatment and 18.3pc use CAM solely to manage their diabetes, while 45.6pc use it to manage both their diabetes and other problems.
RCSI Bahrain president Kevin O'Malley said diabetes has become one of the most common public health problems not only in Bahrain, but the region too.
Mr O'Malley said obesity, lack of physical activity, alteration in eating habits and a change in social conditions all played a role in the changing prevalence of diabetes in Bahrain.
"Diabetes can lead to debilitating or life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and even amputations," he said.
"Prevention is better than cure and it is imperative that we place emphasis on the importance of a healthy lifestyle".
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