• UGI USER
  • Jul 23, 2024
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“INDIA’S HEALTH CRISIS: DIABETES, OBESITY, AND SOLUTIONS”

Why in the news?

  • India’s Economic Survey highlights rising Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and mental health issues, emphasising the need for healthier lifestyles.
  • Incidence of Type 2 diabetes increased from 2% to 20% over 50 years.
  • 56% of the total disease burden is attributed to unhealthy diets.
source:medium

About Diabetes:

  • Diabetes Definition: Chronic disease where the pancreas fails to produce insulin or the body cannot use it effectively.
  • Insulin Role: Regulates blood glucose levels.
  • Consequences: Leads to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).
  • Long-Term Risks: Causes damage to organs, blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and amputation.
  • Glucose:
    • Main sugar in blood, primary energy source for cells.
    • Derived from food or produced by the body.
    • Transported via bloodstream; regulated by hormones like insulin.
About Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes:

  • Immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in pancreas.
  • Requires daily insulin administration.
  • Common in children/young people; symptoms include polyuria, polydipsia, hunger, weight loss, vision changes, and fatigue.

Type 2 Diabetes:

  • Body uses insulin ineffectively, often due to excess weight and inactivity.
  • Affects over 95% of diabetics; symptoms are less pronounced.
  • Diagnosed years after onset.

Gestational Diabetes (GDM):

  • High blood glucose during pregnancy usually resolves post-pregnancy.
  • Increases risk of type 2 diabetes for mother and child later in life.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/defusing-the-ticking-time-bomb-called-diabetes/