Diabetes is a chronic condition brought on by either insufficient insulin production by the pancreas or inefficient insulin utilization by the body. According to The Business Day Newspaper, over 11 million individuals in Nigeria are living with diabetes.
Dr Afoke Isiavwe, a medical expert in endocrinology, said people with diabetes should undergo routine foot examinations to reduce their risk of developing foot problems.
Dr Isiavwe made the recommendation in a statement she issued in honour of World Diabetes Day in 2022.
She noted that regular foot examinations by people with diabetes would help the nation’s rising diabetes foot cases.
The health expert added that diabetes foot is a significant complication of diabetes mellitus in Nigeria and frequently results in amputation when poorly managed, according to the statement provided to PUNCH HealthWise.
According to the endocrinologist, people living with diabetes will experience many complications, some of which may result in prolonged hospital stays, blindness, foot amputation, or even death.
Isiavwe, who is the medical director of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre in Lagos, emphasised the significance of proper foot care for people with diabetes.
The International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization observe World Diabetes Day on November 14 each year.
The doctor shared that this year’s event’s theme, “Education to protect tomorrow,” gives people a chance to learn whether they have diabetes by getting screened.
Isiavwe stated that Rainbow Hospital would provide free diabetes screenings to patients throughout November as part of celebrations for the occasion.
“We are urging everyone, including those with diabetes and their family members, to take advantage of this exercise to learn about their health and how to care for those with the condition.
“It’s also a chance for people to learn about their situation, especially in light of research showing that one in two people with diabetes is unaware of their condition. However, preventing fatal complications from diabetes still depends on early detection.
According to the statement, “people with uncontrolled diabetes will develop a wide range of complications linked to the disease, some of which could result in protracted hospital stays, blindness, foot amputation, or death.”
“As we observe this year’s World Diabetes Day, we want people with diabetes to know that it can be controlled and should not be allowed to lead to the numerous complications associated with it,” the statement continued.
“The exercise will also allow them to examine their feet to stop the spread of diabetes foot, a growing problem. Additionally, it will make accessible fundamental knowledge about how to manage the condition and maintain good health all year long.”
Therefore, this calls for all diabetics and individuals who are diabetes-free to perform regular screening.
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