Diabetes is a struggle for most people around the world, and it is a chronic, long-lasting condition that people learn to live with. Once you develop it, the way your body processes food into energy is compromised massively.
There are many limitations to what and how you consume food and drink, and in some serious cases, you need to take daily insulin injections.
Contrary to what the title says, sweet foods and drinks aren’t the sole cause of diabetes. There are many other reasons, from autoimmune deficiencies which affect children and infants, poor eating habits such as irregular meals and unhealthy consumption of junk food and alcohol, genetics, POC in women, high blood pressure and more.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes types, wherein the former immune system is compromised. Insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, making excess sugar fill up in your bloodstream. The antibodies help fight off bacteria, and harmful viruses attack and destroy insulin-producing.
Type 2 includes your cells becoming resistant to insulin and the pancreas unable to cope up with the lack of insulin. Early symptoms of both include thirst, frequent urination, hunger, weight gain or weight loss, irritability, blurred vision etc.
These symptoms can also coincide with other diseases, so getting them diagnosed by a physician is essential.
Diabetes in India
It is not a surprise that India houses a large population of those affected by diabetes. Type 1 is more common than the latter, about 77 million to be precise, which is expected to keep rising. Southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala have higher rates of diabetes than most other states.
Healthcare expenditure for diabetes cases is estimated to be at a whopping 31 billion as of 2017. One of the main reasons this disease is so rampant is the adoption of the western diet, such as consumption of fast food, obesity, lifestyle changes, tobacco use, and lack of education about diabetes and healthcare for poorer sections of society.
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Things that can be Done
Although we can’t do much once the disease is contracted besides medication, blood sugar checks, diet changes and injections, prevention is always better than cure.
Clinicians could implement early detection programmes, and Self-management counselling and therapy with guidelines can also be beneficial.
The Government must fund community programmes for creating public awareness for the same and accessibility of medications and diagnostic services for every section of society.
Conclusion
Overall, although comparatively less critical than most other diseases, diabetes must not be allowed to become a nationwide worry. Everyone should be able to have access to all facilities required for prevention and coping with it.
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