THIRUVNANTHAPURAM: Experts have said that though hundreds of medications are available for diabetes, a majority of the patients ultimately end up developing complications of heart, kidney, eye or nerves.
According to various studies, the biggest challenge in treating diabetes was to check the dangerously low blood sugars while attempting to maintain normal values.
Due to this intense fear of fatal complications due to hypoglycaemia, attempts at maintaining normal sugars round the clock becomes impossible.
Experts said the launch of the new insulin pump 640G which is the first in the generation of artificial pancreas systems which stops delivery of insulin well before the occurrence of low sugars, has brought some hope.
At JPEF 2015 international diabetes convention here the other day, Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev lectured on the artificial pancreas ongoing clinical trials and on the availability of 640G in India from next week onwards.
Padmasree Dr. V. Mohan in his oration presented his original studies which have shown the speed of progression of pre-diabetes to diabetes much faster in India compared to west.
More shocking is the increasing occurrence of diabetes,in the rural areas heading for fast urbanisation.
Dr. Shashank R Joshi, President Elect of Endocrine Society of India gave an oration to commemorate Dr.V. C. Mathew Roy who started the first diabetic clinic in Kerala in 1971 at Govt. Medical College, Trivandrum. Eminent neurologist Dr. Rajasekharan Nair chaired the session.
Dr. Banshi Saboo, Executive Secretary of DiabetesIndia emphasised the importance of detecting abnormal snoring in diabetic patients which need to be evaluated and treated or else can lead to fatal complications.
International diabetes federation President Dr. Shaukat Sadikot in his Presidential oration raised concerns on rising cost of diabetes therapy. The focus should be on prevention and mass education strategies on healthy eating habits and physical activity, he said.
