Figures for diabetic prevalence in India indicate that the epidemic is progressing rapidly across the nation, reaching a total of 62.4 million persons with diabetes. Complications due to diabetes are a major cause of disability, reduced quality of life and death.
Diabetes complications can affect various parts of the body manifesting in different ways for different people. There are no internationally agreed standards for diagnosing and assessing diabetes complications. Due to different methods of assessing the presence of these complications, it is difficult to make comparisons between different populations.
One-third of diabetics develop coronary artery disease (CAD), irrespective of the precautions they take. The death of 80 per cent of diabetics can be attributed to CAD. Around 50 to 60 million Indians suffer from heart disease and if figures are further explained, every tenth Indian suffers from either CAD or diabetes.
First it alters lipid metabolism, precipitates clotting in the artery and then damages artery walls. The most vulnerable are those who have a family history of diabetes. For them, check-ups after the age of 35 is advised. That is the best way to prevent this disease.
In the next 17 years, India, China and the US will have the most number of diabetics. It is estimated that every fifth person with diabetes will be an Indian. Due to this, the economic burden due to diabetes in India is among the highest in the world. As per WHO estimates, mortality from diabetes, heart disease and stroke cost about $210 billion in India in 2005 and diabetes, heart disease and stroke together would cost about $ 333.6 billion over the next 10 years in India alone (WHO 2013).
Good diabetes control means keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.
Dr Shankar Kumar says this can be achieved by a combination of the following:
Physical Activity: a goal of at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day (e.g. brisk walking, swimming, cycling, dancing) on most days of the week.
Body weight: weight loss improves insulin resistance, blood glucose and high lipid levels in the short term, and reduces blood pressure. It is important to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Healthy eating: avoiding foods high in sugars and saturated fats, and limiting alcohol consumption.
Avoid tobacco: tobacco use is associated with more complications in people with diabetes.
Monitoring complications: monitoring and early detection of complications is an essential part of good diabetes care. This includes regular foot and eye checks, controlling blood pressure and blood glucose, and assessing risks for cardiovascular and kidney disease.
The writer is Founder/Consultant, M.S Diabetes Centre, Bengaluru
