Rapid increase in diabetes incidence is a time bomb that will destroy India’s future generations
Rapid increase in diabetes incidence is a time bomb that will destroy India’s future generations
In terms of the prevalence of the disease, India has around 65.1 million diabetic patients and 77 million pre-diabetes stage patients
If the disease incidence continues to rise and preventive steps are not taken it is predicted that India will be home to 100 million diabetics by 2030
New Delhi, 12th November 2015: The increasing incidence of Diabetes is growing to be a major healthcare concern amongst the medical fraternity in India. According to a report released by WHO, a majority of mortality cases are linked to diabetes. Additionally, diabetes is also a leading cause of heart disease and stroke in patients, increasing the risk of its incidence two – four times more than that of non-diabetics.
Our body turns foods into sugar or glucose after digestion. Once this process is complete, the pancreas release insulin, a substance that helps the cells absorb the glucose and produce energy.Diabetes occurs due to the body’s inability to produce adequate insulin causing a rise in the blood glucose levels. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia). While Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most common forms of the disease, there are other forms as well including gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy and abdominal diabetes.
Speaking on the issue, Padma Shri Awardee Dr. K K Aggarwal, Hon Secretary General IMA and President, HCFI said, “Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented and managed if necessary precautions are taken. The epidemic nature of the disease is a major point of concern for the medical fraternity, and mass preventive awareness campaigns are a must. Losing a modest amount of weight — about 15 pounds — through a controlled diet and exercise can reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes by as much as 58 percent amongst people at high risk. Diabetes drastically increases a person’s risk of developing heart, kidney, eye and nerve diseases. Diabetics must regularly consult their doctor and ensure that they get enough physical exercise, eat a healthy and balanced diet and keep their stress levels in check. For those suffering from diabetes for over ten years, a complete physical examination and an exercise stress test is recommended so that one can determine the best physical activity.”
Indians develop diabetes 10-15 years earlier than people in the West. The reasons for the epidemic nature of the disease in India and its early incidence a genetic disposition, diet containing high levels of sugar and trans fats and a predominantly sedentary lifestyle.
In addition to this, the following factors also contribute to its early incidence:
- Family History: The chances of developing diabetes increases if one of the family members is already suffering from the disease. In such cases, the risk of a child developing diabetes with a parental history of the disease increases by 50 percent.
- Obesity: The correlation between Type 2 diabetes and obesity is well known and warned about. Not only obesity but also weight gain can increase an individual’s risk of developing diabetes. Concentrated body fat present in excessive amount deposited in the abdomen can stimulate the chances of abdominal diabetes. It is advised that the desirable waist circumference should be 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females.
- Unorganized lifestyle due to urbanization: Several reports have shown that physical inactivity, spoiled eating habits, and a predominantly sedentary lifestyle can act as prominent factors leading to the development of type-2 diabetes. An individual should always keep a watch on his/her daily lifestyle habits and routine. It shouldn’t only entail healthy eating habits and a balanced diet, but also a workout regime and outdoor physical activities.
- Stress: Stress has been linked to a wide number of diseases like cardiovascular issues, type-2 diabetes and blood pressure fluctuations. Stress when coupled with physical and mental exertion along with lifestyle changes aggravates the incidence of type II Diabetes amongst individuals with a strong genetic background.
Given the widespread nature of the disease and associated risks, it is essential that the medical fraternity as a whole raise awareness about how Type 2 diabetes is preventable and Type 1 manageable through basic lifestyle changes.
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About Heart Care Foundation of India
Initiated in 1986, the Heart Care Foundation of India is a leading National NGO working in the field of creating mass health awareness among people from all walks of life and providing solutions for India’s everyday healthcare needs. The NGO uses consumer-based entertainment modules to impart health education and increase awareness amongst people. A leading example of this is the Perfect Health Mela; an annual event started in 1993 that is attended by over 2-3 lakh people each year. The Mela showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars and check-ups, entertainment programs, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. In addition to this, the NGO conducts programs and camps to train people on the technique of hands only CPR through its CPR 10 mantra for revival after a sudden cardiac arrest. They currently hold three Limca book of world records for the maximum number of people trained in hands-only CPR in one go. Keeping article 21 of the Indian Constitution in mind, which guarantees a person Right to Life, Heart Care Foundation of India has also recently initiated a project called the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund to ensure that no one dies of a heart disease just because they cannot afford treatment.
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