Diabetes has established itself to be the World’s ‘Number One’ disease affecting almost all age groups. Like many other conditions, India ranks first among those with maximum number of patients. It is frightening to know that according to a global estimate, one among five diabetic patients is an Indian. 

In India the number of diagnosed diabetic cases has crossed 3.75 crores. In about eight years, the number may go up to eight crores.

It has been estimated that about fifteen crores of people are affected by diabetes the world over. The rapid rise in the number has been reported mainly from developing countries. As with many other ailments, India ranks first among countries with the maximum number of diabetic patients. 

Problems faced by diabetic patients are many. They can be classified into two types namely, Internal complications and those manifesting outwardly.

The first appears to be the primary stage complication and the latter the secondary stage. In the first stage, symptoms of the disease are absent. The patient does not even recognize the disease. In the second stage, manifestations begin to appear as complications develop. 

For example, general weakness, burning sensation in the palm and the soles, excessive thirst, frequent urination, sudden increase or decrease in body weight, slow healing of wounds, frequent infections etc are some of the manifestations associated with diabetes.

Managing diabetes is indeed an art, because it is a life style based disorder. Hence life style modifications go a long way to keep diabetes under check. 

Today’s urban sedentary life style is mainly responsible for the onset of diabetes. Human body is subject to changes. An active body keeps diseases away. An idle body is an ideal home for all diseases. 

All of us should remember that each one of us has a responsibility to control the diabetes. By following the four rules given below, one can control diabetes:

a. Diet control 

b. Exercises 

c. Medicines 

d. Awareness

There is a saying in Tamil- “one who takes once a day meal is a saint; one who takes twice a day meal is blessed; one who takes three times a day meal is cursed”. The literal meaning of this age-old saying is we should take only what we need and that too in required quantities; this is especially true for diabetics. 

The prime responsibility of diabetics is to be physically active. This is medicine by itself to those in the initial stages of the disease. Physical exercise burns up the extra sugar from the blood. It stops the excretion of sugar along with urine. Slow running and brisk walk are said to keep the blood sugar level under control. 

Insulin injection is given for control of diabetes. Any medicine oral or through injections should be taken only after and according to the doctor’s advice. Through self-awareness and following a healthy lifestyle and certain modifications in food habits we can keep diabetes under control.

Diabetes is not curable, but it can be controlled!