The XXIV Diabetes Week in Benavente begins with a report on the topic “Diabetes mellitus and the musculoskeletal system” | News from Benavente and the region 24 hours

This week of events, which runs until 15 November, coincides with World Diabetes Day, celebrated annually on 14 November, and this year is under the theme “To live better with diabetes, let’s look beyond blood glucose levels.”.

The first talk of the week was given by Luisa Maria Villar Hernandez, a physiotherapist, who touched on this topic. “Diabetes mellitus and the musculoskeletal system.” Villar explained the impact of diabetes on the musculoskeletal system, highlighting how the disease can affect joints, muscles and tendons. Diabetes, especially when poorly controlled, increases the risk of developing problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, or problems with mobility of the arms and legs due to the accumulation of glucose in tissues and hardening of collagen fibers. Villar emphasized the importance of maintaining regular physical activity to minimize these effects and improve the quality of life of people with diabetes.

ADIBE Diabetes Week will feature five talks aimed at raising awareness and education about various aspects of diabetes. These conferences will take place every evening at 20:00 at the Parador de Benavente and are open to the general public. Tomorrow, Tuesday, cardiologist José Luis Santos Iglesias will give a presentation on “Diabetes and the Heart,” and on Wednesday, psychologist Carlos Milo Manso will talk about psychological barriers to controlling diabetes. On Thursday, November 14, pediatrician Maria Teresa Gil will host a conference on continuous blood glucose monitoring and how it can help optimize disease control. Finally, on Friday, nutritionist Daniel Hans Jimenez will explain how to use exercise as an ally in diabetes.

As part of the prevention and detection campaign, on Thursday ADIBE will set up a tent in the Plaza de Santa Maria where blood glucose tests will be carried out from 10:00 to 13:30 to identify possible cases of undetected diabetes. In collaboration with the laboratories and with the support of the city council, this action aims to reach people who may not be aware of their situation. It is estimated that about half of people with diabetes are unaware of it, increasing the risk of long-term complications.

The Benavente City Council joined in the celebration by lighting up the Plaza Mayor in blue, the symbolic color of World Diabetes Day. The gesture symbolizes the city’s commitment to fighting this disease, which affects millions of people around the world.