Worldwide Diabetes Figures Alarmingly High

Diabetes , which is also called the silent killer, is steadily attacking more people all over the world ,

Diabetes , which is also called the silent killer, is steadily attacking more people all over the world , and many may be unaware of the disease they are living with.

India is the diabetes capital of the world , followed by the US . In fact one in six out of every American is pre-diabetic which means that they have higher than normal blood sugar levels. This leads to diabetes once the levels go past a certain limit.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder which affects the body's insulin sensitivity or ability to produce insulin . It can only be managed, not cured.

Colin Sindall, short-term professional in non-communicable diseases of the World Health Organization, said: "The message is very simple. To prevent it, one must have a healthy weight and a healthy diet. Don't smoke, and exercise regularly."

One in three Americans are likely to become diabetic and Mark Schutta, MD, medical director of the Penn Rodebaugh Diabetes Center, warns that the country is in the midst of a diabetes type 2 epidemic. He advised regular screening for pre-diabetes in high risk people who could then ward off the disease through proper diet and exercise.

High risk people include those with hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and those with family history of diabetes. African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander are likelier to be pre diabetic, as also women who have delivered babies weighing over nine pounds.

Dr. Tommy Ty Willing, Vice-President of the Philippine Diabetes Association (PDA), said that diabetes has as high a mortality rate as AIDS.

"It is just sad that people give more importance to AIDS since it is a new disease even while other diseases are just as fatal," he said.

He said that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes increases by six million every year .

The theme for the World Diabetes Day to be celebrated on November 14 is "Diabetes in the Disadvantaged and the Vulnerable."

Source-Medindia
MAL