Diabetes – A Non communicable Disease

Syllabus: Health

Source:  TH

Context: World Diabetes Day, observed on November 14 to honour Sir Frederick Banting, highlights the global fight against diabetes and its management.

Diabetes Data: Key Points

• Global Prevalence:
  • Total adults with diabetes globally (2022): 828 million.
  • India: 212 million (25% of global cases).
  • Other nations: China (148M), USA (42M), Pakistan (36M), Indonesia (25M), Brazil (22M)
• Risk Factors:
  • Global: Obesity and poor diets.
  • India: Dietary habits, lack of exercise, and socio-economic disparities.
• Treatment Gap:
  • Global untreated cases (2022): 445 million (59% of diabetics).
  • India untreated cases (2022): 133 million (64M men, 69M women).
  • Lack of treatment leads to severe complications like heart disease, kidney failure, and premature death.

Source: Lancet Report

About Diabetes:

• What is Diabetes?
  • Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body fails to regulate blood glucose levels effectively due to insufficient insulin production or impaired insulin response.
• Types of Diabetes:
  • Diabetes mellitus:
    • Diabetes mellitus, the most prevalent form of diabetes, occurs when the body cannot effectively produce or utilize insulin, leading to unregulated blood sugar levels.
    • It is categorized into two main types:
    • Type 1 Diabetes (T1D):
      • Autoimmune condition; pancreas produces little or no insulin.
      • Typically affects children and young adults.
    • Type 2 Diabetes (T2D):
      • Caused by insulin resistance and reduced insulin production.
      • Associated with lifestyle factors like obesity and inactivity.
  • Gestational Diabetes:
    • Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women, leading to elevated blood sugar levels without an obvious cause.
    • Develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth.
  • Diabetes Insipidus:
    • Diabetes insipidus arises when the hypothalamus fails to produce or respond to antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which helps the kidneys regulate body water levels.
    • Without this hormone, the kidneys excrete a large volume of diluted and odourless urine.

Symptoms:

• • Frequent urination.
  • Excessive thirst and hunger.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Fatigue.
  • Slow-healing wounds.

Role of Insulin in Resolving Diabetes:

• Function:
  • Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that facilitates glucose absorption into cells for energy production.
• In Diabetes:
  • Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin injections or pumps are essential for survival.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin or other medications may be needed alongside lifestyle modifications.

Government Initiatives to Counter Diabetes:

• National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS):
  • Focuses on awareness, early diagnosis, and management.
• National Health Policy (2017):
  • Aims to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025.
• Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres:
  • Provides free screenings and consultations for diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
• Eat Right Movement:
  • Promotes healthier dietary habits to combat obesity and diabetes.
• School Health Programs:
  • Focuses on inculcating healthy lifestyles among children to prevent early onset of Type 2 Diabetes.

Way Ahead:

• Awareness and Education:
  • Increase awareness about diabetes prevention and management.
  • Promote regular screenings for early detection.
• Policy Interventions:
  • Strengthen healthcare infrastructure for diabetes care.
  • Subsidize medications and treatments for low-income groups.
• Lifestyle Modifications:
  • Encourage healthier diets and physical activity.
  • Develop urban planning that facilitates outdoor exercise.
• Research and Innovation:
  • Invest in diabetes cure research.
  • Expand access to technologies like continuous glucose monitors.

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