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“Demand for insulin also set to rise due to this increasing prevalence”
New Delhi, November 22, 2018:
A recent study has warned that about 98 million people in India may have Type 2 diabetes by 2030. It has also found that the number of adults worldwide with the condition is expected rise by over a fifth. Additionally, the amount of insulin needed to effectively treat Type 2 diabetes will rise by more than 20% worldwide over the next 12 years. What is alarming is that over half of those with this condition will reside in three countries alone: China, India, and the USA.
Insulin is essential for all people with Type 1 diabetes and for some of those with Type 2 diabetes. It can help reduce the risk of complications such as blindness, amputation, kidney failure, and stroke.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said, “Diabetes is a huge and growing burden. It is fast gaining the status of a potential epidemic in India. Up to 11% of the total healthcare expenditure in every country across the globe could be saved by tackling the preventable risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and over 70% of such cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles. A high-calorie diet rich in processed and junk food, obesity, and inactivity are some of the reasons for the increased number of younger people with diabetes in the country. Not getting checked in a timely manner and not following the doctor’s protocol further complicates matters for them, putting them at a risk of acquiring comorbid conditions at a relatively younger age. There is also a belief that because young people with Type 2 diabetes do not need insulin, it is not as sinister as it seems. However, this is a false notion. This condition requires immediate treatment and management.”
A young person with Type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms. If there are some, these may be usually mild and can develop gradually to include thirst and frequent urination.
Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Group Editor-in-Chief of IJCP, said, “Small and gradual changes can be made in the family so that no one is left out. This will also be encouraging for youngsters with adults setting examples for a healthy lifestyle. Such changes can help a youngster lose weight (if that is the issue) or help them make better eating choices, thereby lowering the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. This is truer for those with a genetic susceptibility to the condition. Operating as a team, a family, is much more likely to be successful.”
Here are some tips to manage Type 2 diabetes in young adults.
- Maintain a healthy weight by exercising every day and consuming a healthy diet.
- Get your blood glucose levels monitored at regular intervals.
- Do not consume refined sugar in any form as this can get absorbed into the blood stream more easily and cause further complications.
- Reduce stress through activities such as meditation and yoga.
