Diabetes Rising Sharply In Pakistan :Dr.Sakrani

People with diabetes need to take an active role in their own care, but patients need to be supported by their health care system to learn how to self manage effectively and timely access to proper treatment and medical advice is also vital.

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jun, 2018 ) :People with diabetes need to take an active role in their own care, but patients need to be supported by their health care system to learn how to self manage effectively and timely access to proper treatment and medical advice is also vital." Talking to APP Eminent diabetologist Dr.Javaid Sakrani here on Wednesday said that diabetes is a growing pandemic of this century and it has crippled many and is continuing to do so ruthlessly.

He said that diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by the body's inability to produce insulin, or by the ineffective use of the insulin produced. Such a deficiency results in increased concentrations of glucose in the blood, which in turn damage many of the body's systems, added.

He informed that the diabetic foot problems are caused by changes in blood vessels and nerves that can lead to ulceration and subsequent limb amputation.

He said that the daily life of diabetic patients is disrupted by the need to monitor blood glucose levels, take medication, and balance the effect of activity and food.

Dr.Sakrani further informed that amputations due to diabetes cause unnecessary loss of life and disability. In high-income countries, treatment of diabetic foot complication accounts for 15-25 percent of total health care resources for diabetes, he added.

He said that this is an enormous waste of not only scarce public health resources but also of healthy lives and it is estimated that with basic diabetes management and care, between 50 percent and 85 percent of all diabetic foot amputations can be prevented.

He informed that the leg and foot amputations in people with diabetes can be prevented using low cost, low technology solutions and simple behaviors should be encouraged such as regular foot examination and examining the inside of shoes before putting them on, not walking barefoot, wearing comfortable shoes, keeping feet clean, and maintaining good care of the skin and nails, he added.

Dr.Javaid Sakrani said that the diabetes is one of the most chronic diseases of adult and childhood and it can strike children of any age including infants and toddlers.

About exercise he said that few patients who are homeless, walking is their typical exercise and they usually carry their belongings, which increases the exercise effort. He said that patients with foot problems should take precautionary measures such as proper footwear.

Dr.Javaid Sakrani said that foot problems often result from prolonged standing and walking. When combined with diabetes, the patient is at high-risk for foot ulcers.

About the diet and nutrition Dr.Sakrani said that the patients are usually dependent on soup kitchens or shelters for meals, and it may be difficult to plan meals to coincide with insulin administration. He explained that the coincide should work with shelters and soup kitchens to promote healthy food choices and to provide supplemental snacks to those with diabetes.

He said that the everyone is concerned and has a role to play in helping to turn the tide of diabetes to protect our future.