Members of the University of Ilorin community have been encouraged to cultivate the habit of engaging in routine medical check-ups in order to check the increasing spread of diabetes, particularly the Type 2 diabetes, in the country.
This advice was given by a Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Dr. Nasir Sanni, while featuring on “Table Talk”, a current affairs programme of UNILORIN 89.3 FM, the official radio station of the University of Ilorin.
The Programme was anchored by the duo of Mr. Temitope Olawuyi and Ms. Bimbo Durojaiye.
Dr. Sanni explained that it is important for everybody from the age of 45 to ensure that they engage in at least once-a-year medical check-up to evaluate their blood sugar level while those whose either parents are diabetic should begin to take the regular medical check as a necessity even as from younger age.
He added that it is important for people not to wait to develop symptoms of the disease or any other before engaging on regular medical check-ups, saying that the cultivation of such a habit would prevent them from getting into a situation where they would develop complications.
While noting that Type 1 diabetes is still unpreventable as it is hereditary, Dr. Sanni said that Type 2 diabetes, which is normally developed through poor dietary habits, could be effectively checked through meticulous personal dispositions.
The renowned physician, who expressed profound concerns with the alarming rate at which people suffer from diabetes these days, said that the earlier the tendencies to develop the disease are detected and effectively addressed the better for the concerned individuals.
Dr. Sanni encouraged staff and students of the University, particularly those who are susceptible to the disease, to avoid sedentary lifestyle and engage in constant physical exercises.
He recommended constant walking for the benefit of the health and well-being as he said that walking around intermittently instead of sitting down in the same position for a long period of time would keep the body fit.
Dr. Sanni also advised members of the University community to be moderate in the consumption of food to prevent diabetes. He said that the easiest way of developing diabetes is engagement in unhealthy diets.
The Consultant Physician advised that heavy meals, particularly those that have carbohydrate contents, should be avoided or reduced to minimal level, while he encouraged the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Sanni also urged Unilorites and members of the public to do away with smoking and reduce the consumption of alcohol, if it could not be outrightly stopped. He explained that the two habits are not only inimical to sound health but also gateways to diabetes.
