How to tackle diabetes, by experts

Medical experts have said that healthy diets, healthcare insurance and concerted awareness can reduce the effect of the ailment.

According to the experts, diabetes claims more life due to its increased prevalence, citing that more than 4.8million Nigerians are down with the scourge.

However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the global prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age has risen from 4.7percent to 8.5percent.

The Clinical Director, Chronicare Nigeria/ISN products, Dr. Soyingbe Adetola said smoking, sedentary lifestyles, excessive intake of alcohol are the leading causes of diabetes, adding that it is the major risk factor of kidney failure in the world.

He stated that it is important to test and present early for treatment so as to prevent diabetes and its acute complications.

“People who have diabetes over a long period of time, which is not treated are prone to diabetic nephropathy. This means the functionality of the kidney is grossly affected over time and if nothing is done, the person comes down with chronic kidney failure,” Adetola said.

Adetola said: “The importance of research cannot be overemphasised in the fight against diabetes. There have been drugs with better effectiveness. However, no matter the amount of drugs research is going to bring out, there is nothing as important as the role of lifestyle modification.”

He urged the government to lead awareness campaign against diabetes, as well as integrate it into the mandatory health insurance scheme

Also, In-house Pharmacist, ISN Pharma Nigeria, Ifeyinwa Achusim stated that it is important for the populace to enroll in the health insurance scheme and also go for regular screening, as prevention is key to controlling any disease.