India is the Diabetes Capital of the World

The prevalence of diabetes in India is rising drastically. The number of people with diabetes is increasing at a rate that the country is called as the "Diabetes Capital." About 62 million people in India have diabetes. The prevalence is expected to reach 100 million by 2030.

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the cells of the body are not responding to the insulin produced.

‘About 97,700 children have type 1 diabetes mellitus in India.’

Some of the symptoms that a person should check for diabetes are extreme thirst, frequent urination, injuries healing slowly, unexplained weight loss, unusual tiredness, tingling or numbness in the hands/feet, blurred vision, headache, fatigue and itchy skin.

People with diabetes should undergo regular health check-ups to rule out hypertension, ischemic heart disease and to prevent complications such as neuropathy and retinopathy.

A person with diabetes can lead a normal life by following a healthy diet, exercise and proper intake of prescribed medications. Eating at regular intervals, following a low-carb and low-fat diet and including fiber-rich foods can help keep the blood sugar levels under control.

Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is also known as Insulin Dependent or Juvenile Diabetes, which occurs in young children due to lack of insulin production. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), type 1 diabetes affects 1,11,500 children every year. In India, type 1 diabetes is higher than other Asian countries.

Type 1 diabetes constitutes of 1 to 4 percent of the diabetes population in the country. Children with type 1 diabetes should be treated with insulin. Intensive insulin treatment using vials and pens are preferred due to its lower cost.

Source: Medindia