By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
People living with diabetes have been advised to be doing self examination of their feet regularly as a way of preventing infections that might concomitantly lead to amputation.
An official of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria [DAN] Mrs Frama Haruna Ali gave this advice while delivering a lecture titled ‘Foot care for diabetics’ at the monthly enlightenment lecture organized by the Bauchi State Chapter of the association held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital [ATBUTH] Bauchi.
Ali who lamented that foot ache was so rampant among diabetics in Nigeria that has been resulting to loss of legs and crippling, said with frequent physical examination of feet, the patients could notice ‘if there are changes on their feet and get treated in time’.
According to her, some of the measures for diabetics to prevent feet infections include; avoidance of walking without shoes even at home, avoidance of getting injuries or wounds on their legs, regular replacement of socks and avoidance of wearing tight or torn socks that could hurt.
” Diabetics should be checking their feet from ankles downward and between their toes to see if there are signs of infection so that they can rush to hospital for immediate treatment. They should also bring themselves to a doctor at least once yearly for physical foot examination. By so doing, the doctor can detect if there is a problem on their feet and be of help”. She counseled.
She also urged the members to always maintain normal sugar level, eat right foods and take medications according to prescriptions with a view to properly managing the disease.
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