Diabetes on the rise, warn city doctors

The incidence rate of diabetes has been on the rise and afflicts more than 6% of the population in India, doctors said at a continuing medical education (CME) on diabetes here on Saturday night.

The incidence rate of diabetes has been on the rise and afflicts more than 6% of the population in India, doctors said at a continuing medical education (CME) on diabetes here on Saturday night.

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The city unit of Indian Medical Association here organised the CME as part of observing World Health Day. Dr Parminder Singh, the head of endocrinology department, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), delivered a talk on 'Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Recent Guidelines'.

He said diabetes is a common disorder. “More than 6% of population in India suffers from the condition and its incidence rate is rising,” he said.

Hypertension, the doctor said, is another chronic medical disorder affecting society.

“Genetics, obesity, high calorie diet, lack of exercise and stress are important contributors to the rising incidence of diabetes and hypertension,” he said.

As compared to western countries, diabetes is more common among the young here. “India has become the diabetes capital of the World,” he said. “Uncontrolled blood-sugar increases complications like kidney disease, heart attack, blindness, foot amputation, erectile dysfunction and brain stroke.”