62 million diabetics in India
new delhi — In the last one decade, the number of diabetes patients in India increased by over 30 million due to sedentary lifestyle and erratic schedule mostly common in the age group of 20-40 years, said the country’s leading diabetic experts on Monday.
Their statistics stated that in the early 2000, there were around 31.7 million persons diagnosed with diabetes and by 2015, the figure increased to 62 million.
“This change is due to the erratic food timings, sleep, unhealthy lifestyle, physical inactivity and other erratic patterns of lifestyle. Such changes in lifestyle leads to insulin resistance wherein body does not use insulin properly,” said Abhay Vispute, Diabetologist at Mumbaibased SRV Hospital. Though genetic factors contributed to diabetes, Vispute said: “Urban migration and obesity due to rising social standards were the other reasons.”
India has been declared as the “world diabetic capital”, with cases to touch 70 million by 2025.
“Not only youngsters, even children between the age group of 1216 years are detected with Type 2 diabetes. It is essential that they understand the importance of modifying their lifestyle, also, for those who are detected with diabetes, their siblings or children must also conduct regular check-ups,” said Tejas Shah, Diabetologist at the Holy Spirit Hospital, Mumbai.
The experts also said that 10 per cent of the pre-diabetic patients become diabetes patients every year. Pradeep Gadge, Chief Diabetologist at Gadge Diabetes Centre, said an increase of 31 million among diabetes patients within 15 years was alarming. “Diabetes at such a young > There persons were diagnosedaround 31.7 with million diabetes. > Around 31.7 million diagnosed with diabetes and by 2015 > India has been declared the ‘world capital of diabetes’. > Children between the age group of 12-16 years are detected with Type 2 diabetes. age means lifelong struggle to keep it under control. It is essential to take appropriate measures. Simple ways to take measures against diabetes includes, avoiding junk food, following an active lifestyle, keep check on weight and conduct tests at periodic intervals,” said Gadge. World Diabetes Day was observed on November 14. Noticing lack of awareness and delay in diagnosis among the patients, Delhi-based Primus hospital recently created a record by screening 900 patients in eight hours.
“It is essential for diabetic patients to not only monitor their blood sugar level but other diabetes inflicted health problems also,” said Ashok Jhingan, a senior diabetologist at Primus Super Speciality Hospital.
Experts have also raised concerns on the rising cases of blindness due to the diabetic retinopathy caused by diabetes.
“Diabetes can cause many health problems, especially when it is severe and not in control. One of the serious conditions is called diabetic retinopathy,” Siddarth Sain, Ophthalmologist at Sharp Sight Group of Eye Hospitals, Delhi. —
India is the ‘world capital of diabetes’