The bitter truth about diabetes

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14 November 2011: Did you know that by the time a person starts showing symptoms of diabetes such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, tiredness, hunger pangs and weight loss, he or she already has had high blood sugar levels for at least two to three years?

Experts say it is not uncommon to have diabetes and yet have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they often vary.

“Anyone with a family history of diabetes or having other risk factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle and related factors should go in for early diagnosis,” says Mohan Badgandi, Consultant for Diabetes and Endocrinology at Manipal Hospital.

In this background, the theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day observed on November 14 — ‘Act on Diabetes. Now.’ — is apt, he says.

Hypertension too

A recent study, Screening India’s Twin Epidemic, says 17 per cent of the 1,979 people surveyed from Karnataka had both diabetes and hypertension.

The study was conducted across six States covering 16,000 people aged over 18.

The 1,979 participants were from among those who visited general physicians in Bangalore, Mangalore and Mysore.

The study by the Sanofi Group was coordinated by Dr. Badgandi along with a team of 100 doctors in Karnataka.

According to it, while 35 per cent of the patients surveyed were diabetic, 32 per cent were hypertensive. “During the survey, 101 new diabetic cases and 188 new hypertensive cases were revealed. Obesity is one of the major attributing factors for diabetes and hypertension,” says Dr. Badgandi.

In another study conducted by the State-run Karnataka Institute of Diabetology (KID) of 4,500 youngsters aged between 10 and 20, 138 were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. “We were shocked to find that 11 of the 138 were 10-year-olds,” says institute Director K.R. Narasimha Shetty.

Lifestyle factors

Pointing to factors such as improper diet, obesity, lack of exercise and other lifestyle issues, the doctors say their condition can be improved by lifestyle modifications.

Type 1 diabetes, which is insulin dependent, is the most common form of the condition (90 to 95 per cent) and occurs both in children and adults.

“Regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential to keep diabetes away,” Dr. Shetty says.

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