The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that nearly 200 million people all over the world suffer from diabetes and this number is likely to be doubled by 2030. Even as nations prepare to mark World Diabetes Day on November 14, WHO says about 80% of the diabetes deaths occur in middle-income countries.
In India, there are nearly 50 million diabetics, according to the statistics of the International Diabetes Federation. As the incidence of diabetes is on the rise, doctors say, there is a proportionate rise in the complications that are associated with diabetes. They point out that it is a very crucial stage and awareness on the part of people and administration about diabetes is very essential, adding that people should be made aware and educated about their health and fitness level to reduce the number of patients in India.
Expert says when diabetes is not well controlled there is damage to the organs and the immune system is impaired. Foot problems occur in people with diabetes and can get serious very fast. Recent statistics show that approximately a quarter of all people with diabetes worldwide at some point during their lifetime will develop sores or breaks (ulcers) in the skin of their feet. Those with long standing diabetes are at the risk of developing diabetic neuropathy and complications of diabetic foot. Round-the-year foot care can ensure that the chances complications are minimized.
Out of an estimated 62.4 million diabetics in India, 4 to 21 percent women suffer from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) — also called glucose intolerance or carbohydrate intolerance. It is a temporary form of diabetes in which the body does not produce adequate amounts of insulin to deal with sugar during pregnancy.
The prevalence of IGT is thought to be around 8.7 per cent in urban areas and 7.9 per cent in rural areas, although this estimate may be too high. It is thought that around 35 per cent of IGT sufferers go on to develop type 2 diabetes, so India is genuinely facing a healthcare crisis.
In India, the type of diabetes differs considerably from that in the Western world. Type 1 is considerably more rare, and only about 1/3 of type II diabetics are overweight or obese. Diabetes is also beginning to appear much earlier in life in India, meaning that chronic long-term complications are becoming more common. The implications for the Indian healthcare system are enormous.
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