Dear Doctor, my father and elder sister have Type 2 diabetes. Am I also at risk of developing diabetes? How do I prevent it from occurring? – Omeruah.
One of the most important risk factors for developing diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes is what is referred to in medical language as family history of diabetes.

Since you are from the same gene pool as your father and sister, you also are at risk of developing this type of diabetes. There are certain steps you may be taking which greatly increases the probability of your developing diabetes.

This includes lack of exercise, if you are overweight or obese, and some indiscretion in your diet.
The scientifically proven methods of preventing or delaying the development of diabetes in those with and without a family history of diabetes includes moderate exercise of at least thirty minutes a day for at least four days in a week.

Exercise is known to enhance the effectiveness of Insulin which is the chemical that an organ called the pancreas produces to help keep our blood sugar under control. If you are overweight or obese, you need to shed some weight to a level such that the size of your waist will not be more than 38 inches if you are a male and 32 inches if you are a female or when what is called Body Mass Index (BMI) is used, your value should be between 18.5 and 24.9.

It is known that people who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Discretion in your diet is also of paramount importance. Ensure variety and moderation in whatever you consume.
Avoid the food with high salt and fat contents from fast food joints as much as possible and take fruits and vegetables daily.

Dear Sir, you said that after road traffic accidents, the commonest causes of amputation of the legs in Nigeria are ulcers or wounds on the feet of someone with diabetes. How does this occur? How do I protect my feet?– Mrs Arigbede
Foot ulcers are common in people with diabetes. Those with poor control have reduced wound healing ability. Ulcerations and amputations have tremendous impacts on people’s lives; leading to increased dependence, psychological stress and social isolation.
Damage to the nerves called neuropathy due to diabetes not only affects nerves that help us to feel, but also nerves that help the muscles to move well and the ones that keep the skin from becoming too dry.

When this nerve damage is present, some people may have no symptom at all while others may experience lack of feeling in the feet (numbness), severe peppery sensation, severe pain, sensation that is likened to walking on cotton wool, while others may experience pricking sensations on the legs and feet, reduced sweating, dry skin and development of cracks and fissures. Relatively simple precautions can reduce amputation rates.

Your shoes must not be tight fitting; in fact you may wear a shoe one size above your normal size so as to give adequate room for the toes.
Such shoes must have very hard soles to prevent penetration by sharp objects, but must have soft and well - padded insides.
Tight fitting shoes lead to skin damage and ulcers. Woolen and not nylon stockings should be worn.
Daily self foot inspection which must include the areas in between the toes and the sole of the feet must be carried out. The purpose of the inspection is to look for ulcers and other abnormalities like calluses, swellings and fissures in order to seek prompt medical assistance.

You should not walk barefoot but should wear protective footwear both at home and outside.
Cut your nails in a well lit area after a bath when the nails will be soft and use a nail cutter but never a blade. Do not sit cross-legged as this reduces blood supply to the legs and feet, neither should you sit close to hot objects.

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