Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Diabetes, once considered a disease affecting primarily older adults, is now increasingly impacting younger populations in India. Experts attribute this rise to poor diet, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyles. Alarmingly, many remain unaware of their condition until serious complications develop.
Study Reveals Widespread Unawareness
A study published in The Lancet Global Health found that 4 out of 10 Indians with diabetes are unaware they have it. Conducted between 2017 and 2019 on 57,810 individuals aged 45 and above, the study revealed that nearly 20% in this age group have diabetes, with similar prevalence among men and women. Urban areas reported higher cases, largely due to sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and stress. Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, vision loss, cancer, dementia, and hearing problems.
Types and Prevention
Diabetes occurs in three forms: Type 1 (where the body stops producing insulin), Type 2 (where the body cannot use insulin effectively), and gestational diabetes (which occurs during pregnancy). Insulin is the hormone that helps transport blood sugar into cells for energy. Without proper insulin function, sugar accumulates in the bloodstream, causing various health issues. Prevention involves eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting periodic blood sugar checks. Early lifestyle interventions can prevent or control the disease.
