…..SHARES VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF DIATETES CONTROL THERAPY

By Bright OKEREKE

An accomplished medical professional on Diabetes management and profound Professor of Public Health at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Professor Joakin Chidozie Nwaokoro, has identified mood condition as an essential therapeutic condition for the management and control of diabetes among patients.

Professor Nwaokoro who introduced self as a Diabetes Evangelist revealed this, during the 11th Public Lecture of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU) Ideato, wherein he was the Guest Lecturer, on the the theme “Empowering a Healthier and.Stronger University Community by Recognizing how Diabetes Influences Productivity”.

The Diabetes Evangelist, in his lecture described diabetes as a group of metabolic diseases that affects the body’s ability to control blood glucose levels. Describing further, he informed that the hormone insulin is produced in the pancreas, and helps to metabolize glucose for energy. Diabetes occurs when insulin production is impaired.

Prof. Nwaokoro, warned diabetic patients to desist from alcohol and cigarette intake, explaining that both thickens the blood, just as diabetes also thickens the blood. He maintained, it is deeply unhealthy to have three blood thickeners combined in a diabetic patient.

He said, cause factors of diabetes can be grouped as follows; Genetic Factors -Family history can increase the risk, Environmental Factors -Lifestyle choices such as diet and physical activity, Autoimmune Factors -In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells.

Listing various types of diabetes to include; Type 1, Type 2, Gestational diabetes and prediabetes. The Medical expert said, the key symptoms include; Frequent urination (Polyuria), Excessive thirst (Polydipsia), Extreme hunger(Polyphagia) among others.

Professor Nwaokoro stated the diabetes chronic complications to include; Blurred vision (Retinopathy), •Foot diseases involving nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation (peripheral artery disease) caused by high blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) leading to reduced sensation, infections, ulcers, and possible amputations.
•Kidney conditions (Nephropathy) which damages the kidney’s filtering units due to high blood sugar and blood pressure.
•Gum diseases and other mouth problems, •Cancer conditions, •Sexual problems in both males and females range from erectile dysfunction in men to low libido and vaginal dryness in women resulting from high blood sugar damaging nerves and blood vessels.

On control and management of diabetes, Professor Joakin, advised diabetic patients to maintain healthy eating habits (balanced diet), lifestyle modifications and moderations, regular physical activities such as moderate exercise, proper sleep and stress management. He also identified mood conditions as a key healthy living, maintaining that most medications including insulin therapy application does not work in a tensed and toxic body conditions.

Explaining how diabetes influences productivity in a University community among students and staff, he maintained the disease impairs cognitive clarity and causes disruptions and absenteeism; disorderliness and restlessness; psychological stress; chronic fatigue which reduces mental or cognitive strength which affects both economic and academic output.

He however advocated for health management policy control and establishment of equipped health intervention centres within the university community.

The renowned medical expert with speciality in diabetes, gave out free diabetes medications as his support to those living with diabetes in Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU), Ideato.

Professor Joakin Nwaokoro, has many years of hospital work experience in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. He is the founder and President of Hammer Home The Glucose; a non-governmental organization committed to diabetes awareness, prevention and care. Through this platform, he and his team has carried out numerous outreaches across Nigeria, providing diabetes screening, education and support for people living with diabetes.

Bright OKEREKE is the SA Media to KOMU Vice Chancellor*