Dr. Krishna Reddy Thaduri

Consultant Endocrinologist

KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur

Diabetes is a condition where body metabolism is deranged due to insulin insufficiency resulting in hyperglycemia and related complications Various types of diabetes are present, like type 1, which is commonly present in young patients due to complete insulin deficiency, type 2 diabetes is due to insulin resistance and insufficiency, and gestational diabetes is due to insulin resistance due to placental hormones. Other types of diabetes are genetic causes, pancreas problems, hormonal excess status, and other rare types. Type 2 DM is more common with >90% of diabetes cases.

The prevalence of diabetes in India is 11.4%, and almost 10.1 crore people are having diabetes. The younger population is getting affected.

Obesity, Metabolic syndrome, Family history, Age, sedentary lifestyle, PCOS, and gestational diabetes are important risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes are vague, regular screening of blood sugars in high-risk populations is important for the prevention of diabetes complications like heart attack, brain stroke, kidney failure, retina damage, neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, leg ulcers, and amputations.

Awareness and regular blood glucose testing among the public is important for early diagnosis in the pre-diabetic stage to prevent it from progressing to type 2 diabetes.

Changing lifestyles like 1)moderate intensity exercise like jogging, playing sports, and cardiac workouts along with 2)dietary changes like increasing protein and fiber content while reducing carbohydrates and fatty foods help 3) reduction in weight by 5-10% 4) proper sleep of 7-9 hrs 5) reducing stress levels 6) avoiding smoking.

Once diabetes is established, they need regular follow up with treating physicians, many modern medications are available along with insulins for proper control of diabetes. Hba1c needs to be under 7% against our national average of 9.1%. There is a dire need to reduce the national hba1c average to prevent complications, hospital admissions and diabetes-related deaths.