World Diabetes Day: All you need to know about the silent killer

Diabetes is an emerging silent killer worldwide. It is growing alarmingly in India, home to more than 65 million people with the disease, compared to 50.8 million in 2010. World Health Organisations (WHO) projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030. The prevalence of diabetes for all age-groups worldwide was estimated to be 2.8% in 2000 and 4.4% in 2030. The number of people with diabetes is increasing due to population growth, aging, urbanisation, and increasing the prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity. 

According to statistics from International Diabetes Federation, India Chapter, around 65.1 million people are affected with diabetes compared to 50.8 million in 2010. It is expected to reach around Being overweight, physically inactive and eating the wrong foods all contribute to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight or obese, you are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, alterations of hormones such as leptin, cortisol, adiponectin involved in food intake It is important to check these hormones if you are obese or overweight. Obesity appears to be spreading across India in part at least as a result of processed Western food. India’s economic boom has been accompanied by a meteoric increase in the number of people with diabetes. 

There are three types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes/ Juvenile Diabetes -

The body does not produce insulin. Approximately 10% of all diabetes cases are type 1. Juvenile Diabetes which is also known as Type 1 Diabetes or Insulin-Dependent Diabetes is a commonly diagnosed disorder among children. A healthy eating plan, adequate exercise, and insulin intake can lead a normal life.

2. Type 2 Diabetes -

In type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time it isn't able to keep up and can't make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels. Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are of this type. It often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity. Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay 

3. Gestational Diabetes -

This type affects females during pregnancy, usually around the 24th week – many women develop gestational diabetes. When you have gestational diabetes, your pancreas work overtime to produce insulin, but the insulin does not lower your blood glucose levels. Although insulin does not cross the placenta, glucose and other nutrients do. So extra blood glucose goes through the placenta, giving the baby high blood glucose levels. This causes the baby's pancreas to make extra insulin to get rid of the blood glucose. Expectant moms can help control gestational diabetes by eating healthy foods, exercising and, if necessary, taking medication. Controlling blood sugar can prevent a difficult birth and keep you and your baby healthy. 

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common pediatric endocrine illnesses. Of these, over half are living in developing nations, with India being home to an estimated 97,700 children with T1DM. Juvenile Diabetes disturbs the immune system by destroying the body’s Beta cells which produce Insulin. With over one million Juvenile Diabetic children in India, there are 12,000 children who die every year due to this malady1. In 2014, 9% of adults 18 years and older had diabetes.

Except for its genetic nature, other causes of the Juvenile Diabetes are unknown. There is no permanent cure for Juvenile Diabetes. It can only be controlled by daily intake of insulin. It has been observed an increase in the number of juvenile cases over the years. In addition to frequent monitoring of blood glucose, a Juvenile Diabetic child also requires regular checks for various tissue related complications. Emphasis on the diet, calorie counting, regular physical activity, injection technique and sick day management is essential to keep Juvenile Diabetes under control.

With type 1 diabetes, the symptoms usually happen quickly, in a matter of days or a few weeks. They're much more severe, too. The most common diabetes symptoms include frequent urination, intense thirst, and hunger, weight gain, unusual weight loss, fatigue, cuts and bruises that do not heal male sexual dysfunction, numbness and tingling in hands and feet. It is advisable to get your blood & urine checks done immediately if you suffer from any of the above symptoms. 

Treatment for all types of diabetes is available. Diabetes type 1 lasts a lifetime, there is no known cure. Type 2 usually lasts a lifetime; however, some people have managed to get rid of their symptoms without medication, through a combination of exercise, diet and body weight control. If diabetes is not adequately controlled the patient has a significantly higher risk of developing complications related to cardiovascular diseases, neurological problems and many more.

Even if the prevalence of obesity remains stable until 2030, which seems unlikely, it is anticipated that the number of people with diabetes will more than double as a consequence of population Diabetes is a lifelong condition and requires regular monitoring. People with diabetes are susceptible to kidney dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases, neurological problems and much more. Hence, Diabetics need to undergo regular tests and monitoring to ensure that all their vital parameters are normal. A concerted initiative is required to address the diabetes epidemic.

The Author, Dr. Rucha Mehta, is the Head of Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism at Global Hospitals, Mumbai