Mumbai: Diabetes is a health problem in which the level of sugar in the blood becomes too high. This happens when the body cannot make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Because of this, sugar stays in the blood instead of giving energy to the body.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, India now has one of the highest numbers of diabetes patients in the world. More than
100 million Indians are living with this disease.
Doctors say the worrying part is that diabetes is now increasing among young people. In the last five years, Type 2 diabetes cases in people aged 15 to 25 have gone up by about 40 percent. Experts say getting diabetes at a young age can be emotionally difficult because patients may need medicines and lifestyle changes for life.
Why Diabetes Happens
When we eat food, our body turns it into sugar. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps this sugar enter the body’s cells. If insulin is not enough or does not work well, diabetes develops.
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes:
This type usually starts in childhood. It develops quickly because the body’s immune system attacks the cells that make insulin. Sometimes viral infections can trigger this condition.
Type 2 Diabetes:
This is the most common type and is mainly linked to lifestyle habits. Eating unhealthy food, lack of exercise, obesity, and family history increase the risk. Symptoms appear slowly and include frequent urination, feeling very thirsty, tiredness, and weight loss.
The World Health Organization says obesity, age, and family history are major risk factors. People who do not stay physically active are more likely to develop diabetes.
Health experts advise people to notice early symptoms and consult doctors on time. Healthy eating, regular exercise, and an active lifestyle can help control and prevent diabetes.