Diabetes mellitus is emerging as a pandemic in the, country. According to world Health Organisation (WHO), currently there are 8 million diabetic patients in Pakistan and the number will increase to 14.5 millions by 2025. Pakistan is on 7th position in the world vis-à-vis the number of diabetic patients, and it is feared that it would attain 4th position by 2025.
Talking to Business Recorder, Dr Jamal Zafar, Professor of Medicine, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) said that currently 50 per cent of patients in the out patients department of Pims are suffering from diabetes mellitus, whereas in the medical ward of Pims 70 per cent patients are suffering from diabetes.
"About 97 per cent of these patients, regardless male and female, are suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus and 3 per cent are suffering from type-1 or insulin dependent diabetes. About 10 per cent of these diabetic patients have cardiac problem as well," he added.
Highlighting the reasons he said that mostly diabetes is caused due to obesity, stress, dietary imbalance and hypertension. Patients having hyperlipidemia or increased cholesterol have more chances of contracting diabetes. Whereas environmental factors such as life styles, lack of exercise also play a great role, he maintained.
Expressing his deep concerns he said that 20 per cent of patients do not know that they have diabetes and when they are diagnosed in the medical OPD it is too late. "Daily 300 to 400 patients are treated in Pims OPD. Therefore considering this number the management has decided to arrange a separate diabetic foot clinic in the hospital from the next week where diabetic patients could come on regular basis for check up", he added.
He further informed this scribe that the diabetes type-2 is also increasing in the children as usually they suffer from type-1 diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes. "This is mainly due to their eating habits such as use of fast food", he added. The principal clinical features of the two major types of diabetes are, thirst, increase in urine, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, increase in the appetite, itching on sensitive parts of the body and so on.
Prevention lies in adopting simple food and life style, regular exercise, prevention of using fast food and drinks, parents should develop a regular diet plan for their babies from the very first day of life, he stressed. He said foot care is very necessary as if proper care of foot is not taken in diabetic patients it can lead to serious complications.
"Feet should be washed daily with mild soap and lukewarm water. Dry thoroughly between toes by pressure. Do not rub vigorously, as this is apt to break the delicate skin. When feet are thoroughly dry, rub well with vegetable oil to keep them soft, prevent excessive friction, remove scales, and prevent dryness. He said that care must be taken to prevent foot tenderness. If feet become too soft and tender, rub them with alcohol about once a week.
When rubbing the feet, always rub upward from the tips of the toes, wear low heeled shoes of soft leather that fit the shape of the feet correctly. The shoes should have wide toes that will cause no pressure. He said exercise increases the effectiveness of insulin and moderate exercise is an excellent means of improving utilisation of fat and carbohydrate in diabetic patients. "Since diabetes is lifelong disorder education of the patient and the family is most important", he urged.
Comments
Comments are closed.