For a long time, diabetes was considered to be a disease that would only affect adults. The number of diabetes patients was also limited earlier. The rise of diabetes began when people’s life became ‘fast’. The youth are also at risk today. At present, the number of young diabetes patients seeking treatment is increasing with each passing day.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, one among 11 people has diabetes and by 2040 it would increase to one among every 10 people. According to data by the International Diabetes Federation, in 2010, the number of diabetes patients was 50.8 million and in 2013, it climbed to 65.1 million. And you may be amazed to know that in 2015, the number jumped to 69.18 million. The data is of people aged between 20 to 79. As much as 52.1% of people are not diagnosed.
What is notable is that the deaths of 52.4% people under the age of 60 are related to diabetes. New cases of type 1 diabetes are found among three in 1 lakh children every year. The age group considered here is 0 to 14 years. In the same age group, about 70,200 children are affected with type 1 diabetes.
According to Dr. Johny J. Kannampilly, Vice-President of Diabetic Foot Society of India, Head of the Department of Diabetology, Lakeshore Hospital & Research Centre Ltd., Kochi, “In the case of type 1 diabetes, it can be found among children from an early age on. Type 2 diabetes is normally found from the ages of 18 or 20.”
Bad food habits, lifestyle, stress and intake of huge quantities of sugar are the main reasons for diabetes. Dr. Shibulal, Deputy DMO of Malappuram, says, “Type 1 diabetes could be hereditary or can be seen from an early age. In this case, the pancreas does not produce insulin or else can we say that type 1 diabetes is due to the insulin deficiency. For such people, insulin needs to be injected. Type 2 diabetes is mainly because of insulin resistance in the body. This is normally seen in adults. Obesity can be the reason for type 2 diabetes in adults. There is also a chance of type 2 diabetes in those who have been obese from a young age. Later on, there can be a possibility of insulin resistance in their body.”
The doctor added that it is important to identify or detect diabetes earlier on or it could turn dangerous.
“The classical symptoms of diabetes are the same in adults and the youth. Consuming food in greater quantity, excessive hunger, excessive urination and so on are the symptoms of diabetes. In the case of type 2 diabetes, if blood sugar comes under 140, the person is in the pre-diabetic stage. It could be put under control by maintaining proper food habits and medication.”
Studies have shown that eating junk food puts the urban Indian at a risk for the disease. There are no shortcuts when it comes to this condition, other than being conscious while consuming food and exercising.
Main photograph by David-i98, via Wikimedia Commons.
