India the diabetes capital of the world

Diabetes is a condition where one has high blood sugars. Generally it is classified as Type 1, Type 2, GDM and secondary diabetes.

Also, on an average every diabetic spends about Rs 25,000 annually to manage the disease and its associated complications, IIPH, Hyderabad, Director G. V. S. Murthy said.

According to the World Health Organisation, India has been declared as the Diabetic capital of the world.

"India has the second largest number of people with diabetes which is at 70 million, next only to China which has about 110 million. The number of diabetes patients in India is expected to touch 120 million during the next two decades, due to a variety of reasons," said Murthy.

“Generally, one tends to increased thirst, urination and increased appetite. There may be weight loss also. A few may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally,” says Dr Subhash Kumar Wangnoo, Sr Consultant (Endocrinology), Apollo Hospitals, Delhi.

Dr N. G. Sastry, Director and senior consultant,  Dr.Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre (DMDSC), Hyderabad Cluster, said, “One out of six people aged over 25 years are diabetic in Hyderabad. Hyderabad had the dubious distinction of the city with highest diabetic population, but Kochi has recently overtaken, however it's not an occasion to celebrate as Hyderabad continues to have an alarming rate of diabetic incidence. Around 20 percent  of the population in Telangana suffers from diabetes and hypertension today.  Juvenile diabetes is also increasing in the city.  By effectively controlling Hypertension, Sugar, Cholesterol, besides curbing the habit of smoking, adopting healthy lifestyle, consuming less of refined foods etc. can bring down the incidence of diabetes and prevent several complications associated with it.”

Since diabetes is increasing for all age groups, the decreasing levels of activity and/or increasing body weight that have caused most of the increase in type II diabetes. “It’s common today because of sedentary habits, stress and overeating. Diet and exercise are pillars of any diabetes,” says Dr Wangnoo.

Due to the increasing rate of juvenile diabetes in our society, how does this impact our rising healthcare costs now and in the future? Dr Wangoo explains, “Diabetes at a young age warrants lifelong treatment and healthcare consultations. If not controlled properly, it may lead to complications which further add to costs.”

So, is there a cure for juvenile diabetes? He says, “None as of now. Research is ongoing in field of immunomodulation and stem cell therapy.”

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "prediabetes" — blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It’s a wake-up call that you're on the path to diabetes. But it's not too late to turn things around. “FBS between 100 - 125 mg% and post meal betweem 140-199 mg%. It can be prevented by diet and exercise,” says Dr Wangoo.

Complications

If sugars are not controlled properly, then diabetes complications like effect on eyes, heart, nerves and kidneys may occur.

Symptoms or early signs

Generally, one tends to increased thirst, urination and increased appetite. There may be weight loss also.

Diagnosed

Blood tests for sugars.

Risk factors

Modifiable (lifestyle, obesity, smoking) and non-modifiable (hereditary)