Cardiologist says change in lifestyle can prevent diabetes

Anya gave the advice in an interview in Abuja on Thursday.

According to her, diabetes is a condition in which the ability of the body to utilise sugar is impaired as a result of the deficiency of a hormone called insulin, or the ineffectiveness of the hormone if present.

``The initial management for borderline patients should begin with a conscious effort to change their lifestyle.

``These lifestyle changes will include avoiding foods and drinks that contain sugar or honey, focus on weight reduction and exercise regularly.''

She added that such people should go for regular blood sugar monitoring in the hospital, adding that they could use a home glucometer kit to check.

A glucometer kit is a portable tool a person can use to monitor his blood sugar or glucose level.

Anya explained that a glucometer provided results right away so a person could know whether the glucose level was higher than desired, lower than expected or within an acceptable range.

The cardiologist said that people at risk of being diabetic were those with a family history of the condition.

She, however, added that it could also occur in people without a family history of diabetes.

Anya explained that people who were obese were at risk of developing a type of diabetes.

``Obesity is a risk factor for developing a type of diabetes as obesity is associated with reduced sensitivity to insulin produced by the body.''

She said that confirmed diabetics also had to make lifestyle modifications in addition to medication prescribed for them at the hospital.

``For Frank Diabetes, there are oral drugs and insulin injections available to control the blood sugar.''

She added that diabetics should also use the glucometer kit at home to monitor their sugar level to help determine if there is an improvement or not