India observes World Diabetes day- Time to introspect

November 14^th is not only observed as Children’s day in India but world over it is also observed as World Diabetes Day. India is rapidly on its way to becoming the diabetic capital of the world and needs to increase its vigil on this lifestyle disease.

The theme for this year is “Women and Diabetes.” 1 out of 10 women in India are diabetic and awareness is poor in them as are the resources to combat the disease.

India is one country where the infectious diseases like tuberculosis and malaria have never left but have remained more resistant (to drugs) and dangerous. Now they are combined with a rising incidence of chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases.

Our understanding of the growing number of chronic illnesses in the Indian scenario is still infantile. The fact remains that younger individuals are becoming victims of this triad and increasingly it is observed that drug—induced cause for diabetes is also becoming more apparent. For example, the widespread use of statins like Atorvastatin for the treatment of Hyperlipidemia (to reduce cholesterol levels) has given rise to more cases of diabetes due to as yet unknown mechanisms.

The highly rapacious pharmaceutical industry which had marketed these “statins” for nearly all cholesterol –related and heart-related conditions is still not slowing down after many cases of diabetes are being diagnosed after the long term use of these drugs.

It is now time to introvert and deduce our own strategies in our fight against diabetes, one of the main weapons remains increased awareness. Physical activity levels recede with the advent of these lifestyle diseases.