2014 World Diabetes Day (Aired News-Commentary)

THE NEED TO INTENSIFY AWARENESS ON DIABETES
       

Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. It is often caused by the insufficiency or lack of the hormone known as insulin, which is produced by the pancreas – a gland found behind the stomach.

The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by insulin. When food is digested and enters the bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells where it’s broken down to produce the required energy.

However this implies that, if one has diabetes, his/her body is unable to break down glucose into energy; because there’s either not enough insulin to move the glucose or the insulin being produced doesn’t work properly.

There are two main types of diabetes namely: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The former is usually more delicate than the latter which is far more common.

In Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As no insulin is produced, the victim’s glucose level increases, which can seriously damage his body’s organs. Type 1 diabetes is often regarded as Insulin-dependent diabetes; it is also sometimes recognized as Juvenile diabetes or Early-onset diabetes, because it mostly develops before the age of forty (40) or usually during the teenage years.

If one is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he would need insulin injections for the rest of his life. He would also need to pay very close attention to certain aspects of his lifestyle and health, to ensure that his blood glucose levels stay balanced at all times.

Type 2 diabetes takes place when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it cells don’t react to insulin. This type of diabetes is generally known as Insulin-resistant diabetes. Since Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, the patient may eventually need medication mainly in the form of tablets.

Type 2 diabetes is in most cases associated with obesity. Obesity-related diabetes is sometimes referred to as Maturity-onset diabetes owing to the fact that it is more common in older people.

During pregnancy, some women possess high levels of blood glucose, which makes their body unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. Such condition is known as Gestational diabetes and it affects up to 18 in 100 women during pregnancy. Pregnancy can as well make existing Type 1 diabetes worse.

Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of health problems developing in an unborn baby, therefore it’s very necessary for a pregnant woman to keep her blood glucose levels under control. In several cases, gestational diabetes develops during the second trimester of pregnancy, which is weeks 14 to 26, and disappears after the baby is born. But the truth remains that, women who suffer from gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

The general symptoms of diabetes, which often take place simultaneously, are as follows:

v Feeling very thirsty.

v Urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night.

v Feeling very tired.

v Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk.

v Cuts or wounds that heal slowly.

v Blurred vision, caused by the lens of the eye becoming dry.

v Itching around the private part or frequent episodes of thrush.

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days. Whilst, many people may have Type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it because the early symptoms tend to be friendly.

Statistics, according to World Health Organization (WHO), show that about 347 million people worldwide are presently suffering from diabetes. In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high fasting blood sugar. The most devastating aspect of diabetes is that, almost half of the people suffering from it do not know that they have the disease. In view of this, WHO stipulates that diabetes would be the 7^th leading cause of death by the year 2030.

Many more people worldwide have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is referred to as Pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased. Thus, it’s absolutely very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it would get progressively worse if left untreated.

In general, diabetes carriers are advised to eat healthily, take regular exercise and carry out regular blood tests in order to ensure that their blood glucose levels remain balanced. Above all, they are also advised to maintain a very cordial relationship with their doctors or health experts.

Penultimate two weeks, Friday November 14 precisely, the world over commemorated the 2014 World Diabetes Day. The World Diabetes Day, which is an annual and international commemoration, was instituted in the year 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to help in raising public awareness on the dangers and control of diabetes.

World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations (UN) Day in 2007 through the passage of the UN Resolution. The day was chosen in honour of the birthday of Frederick Banting who along with Charles Best first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921. The campaign attached to the World Diabetes Day draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes community and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.

As the global community commemorates the World Diabetes Day anniversary, I’m using this avenue to urge the general public to endeavour to live a life that would exonerate them from contracting this dreaded disease that has claimed hundreds of millions of souls as well as maimed several lives both in the past and present. They can achieve this by ensuring that they consume balance diets or by staying away from constant intake of starchy or sugary foods without supplementing them with other required classes of foods.

The sufferers of the disease ought to also note that they can live as long as possible if necessary precautions are always taken, or if they continually stick to the modus operandi surrounding the disease, such as eating healthily, indulging in regular exercise, carrying out blood tests regularly, and consistent intake of the prescribed drugs or frequent consultation of a physician, among others.

Yes diabetes has no absolute cure but it can be prevented, or managed if contracted; thus it is worthy to acknowledge that we have every opportunity to live without the disease or live healthily if being attacked by it. Think about it!

 

         COMR FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs Analyst & Rights Activist

-------------------------------------------------

             +2348028608056  

 

My Candid Note To Nigerian Critics

 MY CANDID NOTE TO NIGERIAN CRITICS

Brethren, I want to let us know that we have the right and every opportunity to bring a positive change or revive any anomaly taking place around us. In other words, the change we anticipate or seek for lies in our bare hands. Honestly it is a fact.

It amuses me each time I see most of us who wish to embrace positive change without making any effort or contributing towards actualizing their anticipations. How could one intend to have something without doing anything in respect to the attainment of his/her goal? Doesn’t it sound crazy? Well, let’s leave the dead to bury the dead.

Some weeks ago during my stay in Lagos State, I was passing through one of the major streets situated in the state; and before I could get to my destination, I sighted at a certain vendor spot along the street in question. The gathering was really generating an enormous pandemonium. Out of curiosity, I decided to reduce my motion in order to ascertain the essence of the uproar. Summarily, it was all about the $9.3 million scandal which the current President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is allegedly involved.

Having gotten the headline from the roadside analysts, I didn’t bother absorbing the detail of their respective opinions because I was of the view that it would be all about condemnation all in the name of ‘Criticism’.

Most times our so called critics piss me off when I see them condemning a certain anomaly instead of criticizing it. Frankly, we still need to comprehend the difference between condemnation and criticism. And, this is our prime interest in today’s edition.

Criticism is simply an expression of disapproval of someone or something. It can also be described as a comment in which you say that something has a particular fault. From my individual perspective, criticism is a serious and thorough examination coupled with judgement on a certain scenario or an achievement made by someone. In the same vein, a critic ought to be referred to as a person or professional who publicly expresses his/her opinion about an accomplishment or a certain scenario with the aim of restoring normalcy. Let’s ride on!

There are so many things Nigerian critics need to know. There are basic factors that must be considered by a critic if he/her intends to put up a criticism on any occurrence. Thus, anyone who addresses him/herself as a ‘Critic’ is expected to note some crucial facts that surround the practice (criticism).

First, we must understand that criticism is a profession; and a worthwhile one. Therefore any critic is a professional. And, we must note that a society can never thrive successfully without the contribution of the aforementioned professionals – that’s the critics. Yes, every society requires critics to function adequately.

Secondly, any critic must always be willing and ready to proffer remedy to anything he criticizes. Of course the paramount interest of any critic must be to restore normality if he/she feels that aberration has taken place. You cannot just indicate a fault or flaw without rendering solution on how the flaw (anomaly) would be addressed.

Thirdly, we must understand fully that criticism without the aim of restoring normalcy is simply worthless. Such criticism is known as ‘destructive criticism’; therefore it is only targeted at constituting upheavals in the society in question. Rather than solving the alleged problem, destructive criticism invariably ends up heating the polity excessively.

We shouldn’t be fast in condemning anything we tagged ‘unacceptable’; we are expected to thoroughly think over something before setting up an antagonism. A critic’s opinion is highly needed in any area of life such as politics, economy, education, and what have you, but he must be ready to tender reasonable suggestions and ideas with the view of creating a better and more conducive atmosphere. Needless to say; only a constructive criticism is needed in any circumstance.

Definitely, we have the right and every opportunity to bring a positive change or revive anything we see as an abnormality taking place around us but we must be willing to contribute our quota towards actualizing such dream or goal. And mind you, such change can never take place by tendering condemnation or destructive criticism; rather, a constructive one. Think about it!

 

FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

2015 Elections: A Call For Sober Reflection

 2015 ELECTIONS: A CALL FOR SOBER REFLECTION

Brethren, please let your past make you a better person rather than making you bitter. I’m putting up this advice because the last time I checked, most of us often allowed our past to change us for bad instead of the other way round.

Your past is expected to be seen as a recipe required to create a better tomorrow in your life. But on the contrary, most people misuse their past thereby constituting series of pathetic moments for themselves. Believe me everybody has a past, either a good or bad one; but the way we manage or absorb it, is what matters most. Of course the manner in which one manages his/her past is what determines the kind of future he/she would encounter or have.

Penultimate week, one of my childhood friends called me as usual from Holland where he resides. Amidst our lovely discussions coupled with gossip, he decided to enquire some facts concerning the present state of things in Nigeria especially in the area of politics.

Firstly, he asked how were the electorates preparing towards the fast approaching 2015 general elections; and I quickly told him that the elections in question is a call for sober reflection for all Nigerians and lovers of the country.

Truly anyone who has Nigeria at heart irrespective of his place of residence would be deeply concerned about the awaiting elections. Yes any right thinking Nigerian who thinks good of this country, regardless of where he resides, is expected to be worried or filled with anxiety over the incoming elections. No doubt, some of us have embarked on a perpetual or have already concluded, their fasting and prayers in regard to the said forthcoming political tussle.

Notwithstanding, whatever the case might be, we ought to note that the proposed elections is simply a clarion call for sober reflection among the Nigerian citizenry as well as all the concerned fellows across the globe. Frankly the era we are passing through is a period that requires absolute pampering without using the baby ‘pampers’. If it is in football or sports generally, this is the right time to embrace the drawing board for the sole purpose of having a rethink.

Surely, as we earnestly await 2015, we need to cross-examine so many things, so that, we won’t end up dancing ‘Makosa’ when we are meant to dance Hip-hop or vice-versa. Without mincing words, if we fail to soberly reflect on some certain things at this point, we would have ourselves to be blamed. Let’s ride on!

When Nigeria got her Independence via the collective effort of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Tafawa Belewa, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, et al, little did the nationalists know that Nigeria would still be facing some of the challenges she is currently facing. Even in their grave, they still find it difficult to believe that Nigeria is still, at this point, a purported united nation, or still battling with election rigging. Thus for the fact that Nigeria as an independent country is yet to be totally united, there’s no need reiterating the fact that the forthcoming 2015 elections call for absolute sober reflection among the electorates.

Though, every nation or entity has its challenges, and ours is not exceptional. But what matters is the step we are taking to ensure that we overcome our challenges. We are expected to reflect on some certain factors or better still, ask ourselves a few questions as follows: Are we truly taking a sincere step? Do we really want to leave this country better than we met it just as our forefathers did? And lastly but not the least, do our leaders actually strive towards taking this country to the anticipated promised land, or are they only interested in their personal aggrandizement?

At this juncture, I sincerely challenge the Nigerian youths to form a formidable confraternity as regards rebranding the Nigerian society. It is high time we stopped being used or manipulated by the men in power, rather let’s stand firm and thoroughly independent.

I was informed that the Transformation Ambassador Nigeria (TAN) is a non-governmental body, but you would bear me witness that the so-called NGO has been organizing campaign rallies for Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and other political aspirants under the aegis of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). Who is deceiving who?

I’m not here to create faction or to side any party; rather I’m only calling for ‘Sober reflection’ because I’m of the view that we all have derailed profoundly regarding the forthcoming 2015 general elections. I bet you; if we continue like this, it would take us nowhere.

By now, we ought to have learnt from our past. I want us to note that one who takes reference from his or her past stands to have a better tomorrow. Therefore, challenge us to let our past make us better persons rather than giving it a chance to usher us into a bitter mood. The choice is yours. Think about it!

 

FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com          

+2348028608056