Having a diabetic relative puts individuals at risk – Endocrinologist

A consultant endocrinologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Dr Ibrahim Gezawa, has urged individuals who have relatives living with diabetes to be mindful of their health as they are prone to developing the disease. According to him, people whose first-degree relative (father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister) lives […]

A consultant endocrinologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Dr Ibrahim Gezawa, has urged individuals who have relatives living with diabetes to be mindful of their health as they are prone to developing the disease.

According to him, people whose first-degree relative (father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister) lives with diabetes, as well as overweight or obese individuals, are at risk of developing diabetes.

In addition, individuals who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol are also recognised to develop type 2 diabetes.

He said this during a national campaign by a pharmaceutical company, Mega We Care, to celebrate the World Diabetes Day 2020 held globally every year. The campaign was organised to educate Nigerians on diabetes prevention and care.

Approximately 463 million adults (20-79 years old) are living with diabetes and by 2045 this number is set to rise to about 700 million.

Dr Gazewa said, “The immediate management of diabetes is aimed at relieving the patient’s symptoms such as excessive urination, thirst, blurring of vision, weight loss despite increased appetite and tingling sensation in the hands and feet.

“Patients with type 1 diabetes require insulin injection immediately after diagnosis and often, for the rest of their lives. The long-term management of diabetes involves monitoring of blood glucose, to ensure good control; adherence to prescribed medications and lifestyle measures, treatment of other related diseases such as hypertension and high blood cholesterol levels, foot care and regular follow up visits to the doctor.’

A pharmacist and Product Manager of Mega Lifesciences Nigeria, Ibukun Adetuyi, said the World Diabetes Day campaign this year will feature educational materials distributed across multiple channels, training sessions for healthcare professionals on new trends in diabetes treatment and partnerships with complementary organisations.

She said there was need for individuals to take their health into their own hands, an initiative she tagged ‘Good Health by Yourself initiative’.