India is capital of diabetes: Expert

Vijayawada: Diabetes is linked with the lifestyle and if detected early, people could lead a happy life, said noted diabetologist Dr K Venugopal Reddy while addressing the health education programme organised at Vasavya Nursing Home with Dr Maru in the chair here on Saturday.

The diabetologist said that the awareness is important on how to lead a healthy life after diagnosing with diabetes.

According to International Diabetes Federation, there are 6.20 crore diabetic patients in India which means 20 per cent of diabetic patients are in the country.

He said type-II diabetes is mostly found in the age group of 60-70 while the type-I is found among juveniles and children.

Diabetic patients experience extreme thirsty and hungry, frequent urination, losing weight without any reason, feeling weak, losing healing power, skin diseases and feeling pain in legs, he said and added that however, no symptoms could be found in nearly 50 per cent of people.

The damage to beta cells in the pancreas, which produces insulin, is one of the reasons for diabetes, he said and added that obesity, no physical exercise, and insulin not working on the cells are the other reasons.

If diabetes is not controlled, it may result in hardening of blood cells, damage to kidneys, blindness and skin diseases, he said and added that while the type-1 diabetes is hereditary in 10 per cent of patients while type-II is hereditary in 30 per cent of patients.

He said there is no point in taking wheat and millet avoiding rice completely. “It is important to reduce the quantity of rice and increase the vegetables and leaves,” he added.

Obese people should shed their weight as early as possible by doing regular exercise, he said and added that surgeries like bariatric and liposuction are available these days.

Raw rice, wheat, millet, ragi, fresh vegetables, leafy vegetables, beans and peas which contain high fibre should be consumed by the diabetic patients. 

The fibre in food helps to control sugar level in blood. He said that instead of eating huge amount of food at a time, they could divide it four or five times. 

Everyone should calculate how much calories they are consuming every day, he said and added that it is important to consume less calories. It is imperative that the diabetic patients should exercise regularly, he said.

The diabetic pregnant women should be more careful, he cautioned and advised them never to go to quacks to get relief in case of diabetes. 

Psychologist Lalita Chandri was also present. Hari Subrahmanyam proposed a vote of thanks.