By Ebele Egoh
Enugwu Ukwu (Njikoka LGA), Aug.11, 2021 (MOI) The Medical
Doctor- In-Charge of General Hospital, Nri, Dr Livinus Chukwuma has cautioned
that diabetes mellitus can lead to blindness and called for regular
medical checkups.
He made the observation while fielding questions from
health correspondents in his office at Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area (LGA)
of the state.
He described diabetes mellitus as a common metabolic
disease that could result in too much sugar in the bloodstream accompanied by
frequent urination.
``The process begins when we eat food and try to digest
it; this triggers the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
``This, then, goes round the entire body and stimulates
the receptors which open up channels and take the sugar into circulation into
the system.
``There are situations when sugar stored cannot be
utilized by the body due to insufficient insulin in the body. This is where the
problem starts,’’ Chukwuma explained.
Dr Chukwuma classified diabetes into type 1 and type 2.
In Type 1 diabetes, there is absolutely a lack of insulin, while in type 2
there is relative lack of insulin; this means it is there, but not enough.
``Diabetes has its complications, when they come as it
can be devastating. It is a major cause of blindness, and can adversely affect
every part of the body.
``The sugar goes to the lens, prevents light from passing
to the retina; obstructs the blood vessels and making them non receptive.
``It can affect every other nerve, including that of
hearing and may result in deafness. Cardiovascular system, the heart, the
kidney and the blood system are most affected,’’ he said.
Dr Chukwuma noted that when the blood vessels were
disrupted and could no longer carry out its job, it would start absorbing the
sugar.
Also the inner lining would start changing; damaging,
blocking and narrowing, then high blood pressure would set in.
``Apart from high blood pressure, the areas with the
small vessels that are blocked make it hard for organs of the structure to get
sugar and blood supply.
``That organ will not be functional again, it either
becomes swollen or dead and our people think it is poison or what Igbo calls
‘enyiule’.
The signs and symptoms include very high sugar in the
bloodstream, voluminous and frequent urination, thirst, excessive hunger and
weight loss.
Dr Chukwuma noted that diabetes could be genetic, meaning
it could run in families, noting, ``when both parents have it, the children are
most likely to have it”.
``Lifestyle can give rise to diabetes and if one is
exposed genetically to ailment their lifestyle can either push it up or down.’’
Prevention, he noted, would be key to living a healthy
lifestyle, frequently visiting the hospital for tests, eating lots of fruits
and vegetables rich fibre and exercising.
He cautioned against smoking, eating late at night or
eating too much carbohydrate, but applied moderation was being consumed.
Chukwuma called on the state government to subsidise the
cost of screening, managing and treatment of diabetic patients in Government
hospitals.
Those that are already diabetic, he advised, ought to
take their medications judiciously and do as their health providers’ advice.
(MOI)
TON
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