Diabetic will turn into worst-ever epidemic in the world
Diabetic will turn into worst-ever epidemic in the world
Coimbatore: As Coimbatore marked World Diabetes Day with walkathons and talkathons, statistics that emerged from experts at seminars were alarmingly bitter. One out of every 10 people in Coimbatore district is diabetic, according to a rough estimate by experts. About 10 per cent of people in Coimbatore and its neighbourhood suffer from high blood sugar levels or diabetes.
At the Coimbatore medical college and hospital, 20 out of 200 patients who visit the hospital for treatment suffer from diabetes, says resident medical officer, Dr S. Dharmalingam. In effect, one out of every 10 patients at the government hospital are diabetic. Significantly, there is an increase of 30 per cent of people suffering from diabetic retinopathy, says Dr L. Srinivasan, medical director of Vasan Eye Care.
In 2011, there were 366 million people with diabetes globally. This is expected to rise to 552 million by 2030. A recently published Indian Council of Medical Research - INDIAB national study reports that there are 62.4 million people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and 77 million people with pre-diabetes in India.
These numbers are projected to increase to 101 million by 2030. Poor nutrition, improper intake of medicines, non-adherence to an exercise regimen and increased genetic susceptibility are the causes. India’s struggle with diabetes is expected to be one of the biggest epidemics the country has ever witnessed, say experts.
Increasingly, diabetic people suffer from eye-related complications such as diabetic retinopathy which is a damage caused to the retina due to high, uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
“There is an increase of 30 per cent every year. This is so because most patients are unaware that they have diabetes. By the time they are diagnosed, their blood sugar levels are exceedingly high and this results in diabetic retinopathy.
Those who suffer from uncontrolled diabetes for over five years have 100 per cent chances of having diabetic retinopathy,” cautioned Dr Srinivasan. The incidence depends on the levels of glycemic control in the patient. If the glycemic level is high, then chances of diabetic retinopathy is high as well, he added.
Diabetologists insist on periodical blood sugar levels tests for people above 30 years of age to avoid complications of retinopathy. Especially, all pregnant mothers have to be screened between 24 and 28 weeks.
Diabetes during pregnancy or gestational diabetes usually has no symptoms and is, hence, termed as a silent killer, according to Dr N. Sathian, chief medical officer of Vasan Eye Care.
( Source : dc )
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