Even as the World Diabetes Day is being observed on Monday, diabetes is a huge and growing burden. As many as 69 million adults were living with diabetes in the country in 2015 and this number is expected to increase to around 100 million or one in ten adults by 2040.
DM (Endocrinology, AIIMS) Prof IMS and SUM Hospital, consultant, Kalinga Hospital Abhay Sahoo said, “One in two adults with diabetes is undiagnosed. 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. Up to 70 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles. “
He added, “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.”
About 50 per cent patients with diabetes do not know they suffer from it. These patients are at high risk to land up with complications of diabetes. Moreover, in spite of improvement in diabetes care in the recent past, the percentage of undiagnosed diabetes patients are around the 50 per cent mark. A large proportion of patients do not even know the general information on diabetes, Dr Sahoo said.
The management of diabetes and its complications begins in primary health care and this should include screening for diabetic retinopathy. Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic retinopathy can prevent vision loss and reduce the impact of diabetes on individuals, their care givers and society,” said DM (Endocrinology) consultant Endocrinology,KIMS Medical College, Bhubaneswar Endo-Diabetes and Thyroid Clinic, Sambalpur, Dr Ritesh Kumar Agrawala.
There is a lot of evidence that lifestyle changes (achieving a healthy body weight and moderate physical activity) can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is one of the main pillars in the prevention of diabetes.
Increased physical activity is important in maintaining weight loss and is linked to reduced blood pressure, reduced resting heart rate, increased insulin sensitivity, improved body composition and psychological well-being. A balanced and nutritious diet is essential for health. A healthy diet reduces risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. There is evidence of a link between depression, smoking and both diabetes and cardiovascular disease, said the doctors.