Is Gujarat the diabetic capital of India?

Several reports have cautioned about the rising number of diabetes cases in Gujarat.

Our lifestyle and sugar content in food maybe considered culprits, though genetic factors also play an equivalent role.

Besides diabetes that is prevalent among adults in cities of Gujarat, a serious concern is its occurrence among school going population which seems to be distinctly on a rise. This incident of juvenile diabetes is also called Type-1 diabetes.

There is no cure for diabetes that affects children. This statement is not only scary for parents; it also rings a certain sense of fatality. Since insulin is not produced in a child's body, the only treatment for the disease is insulin injections or an insulin pump.

Type-1 diabetes can occur at any age. However, it is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents and young adults. The early symptoms are thirst, hunger, constant fatigue, blurry eyesight, losing feeling or tingling sensation in feet, loss in weight and frequent urination.

The exact cause of Type-1 diabetes is not known. An infection or some other trigger causes the body to mistakenly attack pancreatic cells that produce insulin. This disorder is generally genetic.

As there is no cure, prevention and control seem to be a wise route to adopt. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is low-fat and high on fibre and carbohydrates is helpful. Eating three main meals and two or three smaller ones help the body metabolism. Regular exercise also helps control amount of sugar in the blood.

As diabetes advances, it may cause damage to blood vessels and nerves.

This can result in loss of sensation in feet. One may not notice a foot injury until one gets a severe infection. Small breaks and cuts in the skin can get deeper and develop into ulcers. It may further cause complications like eye or kidney diseases.

World Health Organisation (WHO) reports refer India as the potential diabetic capital of the world, with number of patients in the disease expected to increase from three to six crores by 2025.

Other reports pitch Gujarat second after Tamil Nadu on the fast track in acquiring diabetic patients. Some figures say that about 10% of state's population is at least borderline diabetic.

Yet other reports talk about lakhs of people being diabetic in the city of Ahmedabad alone.

The writer is  an entrepreneur and educationist. She can be reached at
shroffmp@gmail.com