Globally one in two adults with diabetes goes undiagnosed. It makes them particularly susceptible to the complications of the condition, causing substantial disability and premature death. In Bhopal the majority of diabetics are Type 2 diabetics. Up to 70 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles.
Dr Shachin Kumar Gupta (MD Medicine) consultant Diabetologist Krishna Diabetes Clinic and Educational Research Centre Bhopal, informed this at a Press Conference organised here on the eve of World Diabetes Day.
Dr Gupta said Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation. Over one third of all people currently living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes will develop some form of damage to their eyes that can lead to blindness.
Many people live with type 2 diabetes for a long period of time without being aware of their condition. By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present. it is surprising to see that 80 per cent of diabetic patient do not take proper treatment, sometimes they stop treatment and switched to alternative treatment and even not bothered to up titrate their medicine as per their blood sugar level because diabetes is pain less in early stage.
Dr Gupta further said Diabetes affects more than 415 million people in the world. Many will suffer from its debilitating complications and die prematurely. Cardiovascular disease kills half of all people with diabetes, which is among the leading causes of kidney failure. Often misunderstood as a disease associated with affluent lifestyles, diabetes is a growing problem in developing countries like India.
He said that screening for type 2 diabetes is important to modify its course and reduce the risk of complications. With increasing levels of poor nutrition and physical inactivity among children in many countries, type 2 diabetes in childhood has the potential to become a global public health issue leading to serious health outcomes.
The theme of World Diabetes Day 2016 is Eyes on Diabetes. The patient should be made aware on promoting the importance of screening of eyes to prevent diabetic retinopathy, Diabetic retinopathy can lead to diminution of vision and even blindness.