Experts say 30 percent of Nigerians in sedentary jobs are more prone to diabetes, noting that one out of every three of them at some stage is found diabetic.
They say diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure and early death, stating simple that lifestyle moderation and screening can reduce the risk, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Diabetes Day with the theme ‘Diabetes: Protect your family.’
Ebun Bamgboye, consultant physician and nephrologists, Clinical Director at St. Nicholas Hospital, speaks about the burden of diabetes, its related issues and how it can be tackled with proper diagnosis and prevention on Doctors on Air on Wednesday on Classic FM 97.3, hosted by Pamela Jackson-Ajayi, founder/managing director, Synlab Nigeria.
According to Bamgboye, 20 years ago, diabetes prevalence estimate in the society was about 2.2 percent but recent estimate has indicated a progressive rise and as at now 8.8 percent, almost 10 percent of the population have diabetes.
“Only about 50 percent of those who have diabetes are not aware they have it. So, every diabetic that is diagnosed, there is one going around the society not realising that he or she has this relatively dangerous illness,” he said.
What is more frightening is that there are a certain group of people who works in banks, oil company and other jobs that generally have the sedentary type of lifestyle, and because of relative affluence are able to eat more and eat the wrong things.
“Obesity has increased in the society, so among such group of people is been found to be almost 30 percent diabetic. Almost one out of every three of them at some stage are found diabetic,” Bamgboye said.
He explained that diabetes, which medically is called diabetes mellitus, a disease that generally part of the more common disease that we call a non-communicable disease, unfortunately for some reason, was becoming much common in Nigeria.
The disease rises as a result of inadequate supply of the hormones call insulin, noting that there are different types of diabetes but the one that is most common is the type 2 diabetes in adults.
However, understanding diabetes, its symptoms and treatment, lifestyle impacts is key for the whole family. People with diabetes should be offered a referral for individualised nutritional education provided by a registered dietician with experience in diabetes management.
Speaking on reasons for screening and addressing the diabetes treatment and management, Shoyingbe Adetola, a diabetes expert, said screening was very important, noting that when people are diagnosed with diabetes the functionality of the bitter cells is already reduced by 50 percent.
According to Adetola, another reason for screening will help to know if one is pre-diabetic and there is a way to reduce the progression to over-diabetes, noting that those with a family history are at high risk of developing the disease.
“If your fasting blood sugar is above 100, but below a 127, we say you have pre-diabetes and if your value is greater than 127, then you are diabetic,” he explained.
The expert explained that over time if blood sugar levels are not controlled the most common complications of diabetes could develop into more serious conditions, including retinopathy, renal failure, and heart attacks and strokes.
He advised that it was important people know their numbers and do blood sugar level regularly.
