Deadly killer: The signs you can never ignore

Endocrinologists have emphasised the importance of early detection and proper management of diabetes.

This is done to prevent severe complications, including blindness.

Medical experts warned that uncontrolled blood sugar could cause irreversible damage to key organs like the eyes, kidneys, and heart.

According to report, doctors lamented the rising cases of diabetes in Nigeria and urged the government to prioritise awareness.

They stressed that regular screenings should be encouraged, especially for individuals at higher risk of developing the condition.

According to them, diabetes is not just a lifestyle disease but a silent killer capable of causing severe health complications.

Experts warned that poor management of diabetes could lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke.

They advised diabetic patients to embrace lifestyle changes such as healthy diets, regular exercise, and stress management.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that disrupts blood sugar regulation due to inadequate insulin production or ineffective insulin usage.

The World Health Organisation projected that diabetes cases in Africa could rise to 54 million by 2045 without urgent intervention.

The global health body linked the rising diabetes prevalence in Africa to urbanisation, unhealthy diets, and lack of physical activity.

“Diabetes poses a serious health and economic burden, leading to high medical costs for affected individuals,” WHO noted.

Physicians warned that poorly regulated blood sugar could cause long-term organ damage and other complications.

A consultant endocrinologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olufemi Fasanmade, urged diabetics to prioritise adequate treatment.

He explained that untreated diabetes could result in blindness, kidney failure, stroke, heart failure, and limb amputation.

According to him, diabetes affects the eyes through conditions like retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Fasanmade advised people with diabetes to control their blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure to prevent vision loss.

The former President of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Society of Nigeria emphasised the need for regular medical check-ups.

He added, “Diabetes, when poorly treated, can lead to blindness, stroke, kidney failure, heart failure, and impotence.”

Another endocrinologist, Dr. Chidi Nwankwo, stressed the importance of proper diabetes management to avoid life-threatening complications.

He described diabetes as a silent killer capable of wreaking havoc on multiple organs if left untreated.

“Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and lower limb amputation,” he warned.

Nwankwo urged diabetic patients to adhere to prescribed medications, monitor blood sugar levels, and visit doctors regularly.

He noted that diabetes could also cause impotence in men and heighten the risk of cardiovascular problems.

“The vascular damage from high blood sugar can affect circulation, leading to erectile dysfunction and heart attacks,” he explained.

He further warned that prolonged high blood sugar could damage kidney blood vessels, increasing the risk of dialysis.

Experts insist that urgent interventions are needed to tackle the rising diabetes crisis in Nigeria.

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