As the World Diabetes Day is marked on Thursday, the increasing number of diabetes cases being detected in Dehradun is a cause for concern.
With the rapidly increasing population and the modified lifestyle, the rate of diabetic cases diagnosed in the State capital has also increased considerably. “India is becoming a diabetic hub after China. lifestyle modification and changing eating habits are the major causes of this life threatening disease,” said senior physician of Doon Hospital, Dr KC Pant.
The cases of diabetic patients are increasing at an alarming rate in Dehradun. As per the data provided by the administrative department of the Doon Hospital, a total of 12,422 diabetic patients were registered in the Outdoor Patients Department (OPD) and around 1,059 diabetic patients were referred to the Indoor Patients Department (who were admitted in the hospital) from January till October this year.
The number of people diagnosed with diabetes has increased compared to last year when a total of 13,887 cases of diabetes were registered in the OPD while 881 patients were admitted in the hospital. Around 46 patients died in the critical stage of diabetes in 2012, while 37 patients have died from this disease this year so far in the hospital.
As per Dr Pant, the cases of diabetes are getting more frequent in the younger generation which in the medical term is referred to as Maturity Onset Diabetes of Young (MODY). He said that earlier the starting age of the disease in youngsters was 25-26 years but now the disease is getting common even in 20 year olds. The changing lifestyle, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are the major causes of this disease, he added.
According to Dr SD Joshi, senior physician at Doon Hospital, consumption of alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, stress and obesity increase the risk of diabetes affliction. He said that diabetes is prevalent more in males than females. Of those diagnosed with this disease here, around 60 per cent are males.
Chief Medical Superintendent of Doon Hospital, Dr RS Aswal, said that awareness on diabetes has increased to greater extent in recent years. Earlier patients were unable to get the disease diagnosed but now improved diagnostic facilities have helped in increased diagnosis.