MEDICAL LABORATORY THE GRASSROOT APPROACH TO DIABETES MANAMENT AND PREVENTION

MEDICAL LABORATORY, THE GRASSROOT APPROACH TO DIABETES MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION.

The role of laboratory medicine in management, treatment and prevention of diseases of all kind cannot be overemphasized. People should therefore come to limelight and embrace standard practice. Gone are the days in Nigeria when treatment is based on assumption from mere symptoms. Nailing the ailment before any medication is the paramount thing in medical practice.

Diabetes is fast becoming an epidemic in the world with estimated increase by  2030 (WHO). In 2012; more than 371 million people have diabetes worldwide, 4.8 million died due to diabetes, 14 million people in Africa have diabetes, 4.3% of adults in Africa are living with diabetes, 401,276 deaths in Africa were due to diabetes, Nigeria have the highest percentage of people living with diabetes in African region with a total case of 3.2 million in 2012 (adapted from 2012 fact sheet of international diabetes federation). Yet half of people with diabetes are undiagnosed. The way forward to prevention of this disease is awareness. There is not enough awareness without the persuasion to stay checked.

I always recommend blood glucose test for every visit to the hospital. Checking blood glucose level should be a thing of pleasure for everyone especially those who are at risk of developing diabetes. It is now crystal clear that diabetes is no longer a disease for the old, at any age one can come down with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is at least preventable and controllable when we understand and put all necessary preventive measures to work.

The Precious Diabetes Foundation team for three years now has been campaigning with the local theme “KNOW YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL”. It only takes the determination to stay healthy and diabetes free to walk into a medical laboratory center to ask for a blood glucose test. You may have to make this a habit if you have a family history.

Among the critical role she plays, the medical laboratory provide you is firsthand information on the following:

• ·        Your fasting blood glucose level.
• ·        Glycated haemoglobin level: test for the totally level of glucose in your blood for the past three months.
• ·        Urine analysis for glucose

Other test include oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), Random and post prandial blood glucose level, urine analysis for ketones, protein albumin, plasma lipid profile, electrolytes, urea, creatinine. These tests comprise the screening, confirmatory and management test as applicable. Advanced laboratory technique include: Islet cell auto-antibodies (ICA), Glutamic acid decarboxylase auto-antibodies (GADA), 1A-2A protein tyrosine phosphatase auto antibodies, (IAA) auto antibodies to insulin, C-peptide, IV-glucose load etc.

Diabetes in many patients is usually asymptomatic until it becomes life threatening. Most of the diagnosed patients happen to be accidental. Constant blood glucose test/ monitoring is strictly advice. In addition, its high time Nigerians follow the advice of Dr. Colbert in his book WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW MAY BE KILLING YOU and i quote, “eat living food”.

Diabetes prevention awareness through practical education

More than six million Nigerians are said to be living with diabetes, the devastating effect of this disease is overwhelming even though it can be prevented. To celebrate the world diabetes day, Precious Diabetes Foundation took awareness campaign to Apo mechanic new site in the capital city of Abuja.

In Nigeria, most mechanics and even other enlighten individuals consume large amount of alcohol which is a potential risk factor to developing diabetes. During the campaign, the mechanics, motor spare parts dealers and other members of the public were enlighten on the dangers of excess consumption of alcohol and how it relates to development of type two diabetes.

Over two hundred people got free blood pressure and blood glucose test. Those who have hyperglyceamia were referred to  hospitals (Wuse General hospital and Garki hospital Abuja) to see a doctor for further check since we only focus on screening test during our campaigns.

The greatest danger of diabetes is that  people don't seem to know the signs and symptoms least mindful of preventive measures, thus people live with undiagnosed diabetes for years until it becomes a potential treat to their life. Data generated from this campaign showed that four people were found to be highly hyperglyceamic with fasting blood glucose level of over 10.1 mmol/L, Twenty-three people have Fasting blood glucose level of over 7.0 mmol/L.

So much work still need to be done on diabetes awareness and prevention program in Nigeria. Of concern is the discrimination and the thought that people living with diabetes are those whose days are numbered. People and most especially newly diagnosed individuals need to know that diabetics live a normal life and that diabetic meals are the healthiest way of eating.

On this note we call for more awareness campaigns and meaningful support to project this course because INFORMATION they say is POWER.