Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions around the world, leading to serious health complications if it is not properly managed. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot effectively use insulin (type 2 diabetes). Without appropriate control, diabetes can cause heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, loss of vision and other deadly conditions.
Awareness of diabetes is crucial for prevention, early diagnosis and effective management. Many people remain not diagnosed until complications arise, which makes education on symptoms, risk factors and essential lifestyle changes. Healthy food, regular physical activity, weight management and blood pressure monitoring can considerably reduce the risk of complications.
To raise awareness of diabetes and the complications associated with it, you had organized a Medithon who had several experts present. The program was aimed at educating people on the risks, causes and prevention of silent epidemic that has already affected billions of people around the world and has millions of pre-diabetic people.
THE You Medithon Part 6 took place in four sessions, and each session highlighted a distinct aspect of diabetes.
First session: Diabetes – Risk factors and complications
During the first session of part 6 of you Medithon, Dr. Jasjeet Singh Wasir, MD, director of endocrinology and diabetes in Mesena, Gurugram, stressed the risks associated with diabetes, stressing the importance of treatment timely to prevent complications. He stressed that diabetes has an impact on the vital organs of the body.
Dr Rohit Kapoor, MD, FACP, FACC, FRCP, Director of Internal Medicine, Carewell Heart & Super Specialty Hospital, Amritsar and Dr Ashish Saxena, MD, FRCP, FIAE, PGDD, Internal Medicine Consultant, Diabetes and Cardiology Non -Invasive, Diabetes and Heart Center & Delta Heart Center, Ludhiana discussed how diabetes considerably affects the heart and the kidneys.
Experts have stressed that diabetes increases the risk of serious complications, including heart disease, cerebral vascular accidents, kidney failure, nervous lesions and vision loss.
Second session: live well with diabetes – get to know diabetes
During the second session, the experts shared basic and perceptive information on diabetes and how to identify it.
Dr. Alka Gandhi, consulting the diabetologist and founder, Aayushi Advanced Diabetes Care Clinic, Mumbai underlined the increasing prevalence of diabetes in India, explaining that the condition occurs when blood sugar levels increase due to insulin production insulin or ineffective use of insulin.
Dr. Shefali Karkhanis, diabetologist and co-director consultant, Karkhanis Super-Specialty Hospital, underlined the impact of diabetes on women’s health, noting that hormonal and psychological differences between men and women influence the diagnosis and progression of the disease.
Dr. Friend Sanghvi, Director and Diabetologist consultant, Sanghvi Eye & Diabetes Care Center, Mumbai highlighted the current symptoms of diabetes, including increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, fatigue, slow healing wounds and itching in private areas.
Third session: live well with diabetes – Prevention, management and inversion
The third session included experts who shed light on the key aspects of Diabetes management which are prevention and inversion.
Dr Ghanshyam Angowal MD, DM Endocrinology. Endocrinologist consultant and diabetologist, Lucknow described diabetes as a multifactorial disease, emphasizing obesity as a major risk factor. He pointed out that lifestyle changes, including healthy diet and regular physical activity, can help reduce the risk of diabetes. He also advised excessive consumption of sweets, refined flour (Maida) and fiber -deficient foods.
Dr Jayakrishnan C Menon, MD, DM (endocrinology). A deputy professor in endocrinology, Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur has strengthened the importance of food in the prevention of diabetes, citing many studies which highlight its crucial role.
Dr Kiran Kumar Pasam, MD, DM Endocrinology. Endocrinologist consultant, AIG hospitals, Hyderabad stressed the importance of food management in the control of diabetes. He referred to the recently published ICMR guidelines, which recommend increasing the supply of low GI foods, consumption of whole dishes and reduction in transformed food consumption.
Fourth session: diabetes and obesity
The last session focused on a silent epidemic and its association with diabetes: obesity.
Dr OM J Lakhani, MD, DNB Endocrinology. The endocrinologist consultant, the Zydus hospital, Ahmedabad explained that obesity is a measurable condition, commonly evaluated using the body mass index (BMI), which serves as a simple and effective tool to define the ‘obesity.
Dr. Harsh Durgia, MD, DM Endocrinology. Endocrinologist consultant, Dr. Harsh’s Endocrine & Diabetes Center, Rajkot highlighted various factors contributing to obesity, stressing that a sedentary lifestyle and a caloric imbalance play an important role in its development.
By promoting awareness, individuals can take proactive measures towards a healthier lifestyle, reducing the burden of diabetes on individuals and health systems. Early intervention and enlightened choices allow people to live a healthier life, making diabetes a manageable disease rather than a potentially fatal disease.
Watch You Medithon here