Page 6 - Seniorstoday March 2023

Cover Story

Diabetes:

What seniors need to know

India has an estimated 77 million adults with diabetes, a number that is
expected to rise to 101 million by 2030. An estimated 20-30% of senior

citizens are affected by the disease, writes Dr Girish Parmar

India is rapidly emerging as the vision problems, cognitive decline, and
diabetes capital of the world, owing to a increased risk of infections. Therefore, it is
combination of factors such as sedentary crucial to raise awareness about diabetes
lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits, and and its management among senior citizens
genetic predisposition. According to the in India to prevent or delay the onset of
International Diabetes Federation, the complications and improve their overall
country had an estimated 77 million adults health outcomes.
with diabetes, a number that is expected to
rise to 101 million by 2030. What is diabetes:
An estimated 20-30% senior citizens Diabetes is a condition in which the body
of India, are affected by the disease. is unable to properly regulate blood sugar
Declining efficiency of the body to levels. There are two main types of diabetes:
process glucose, chronic co-morbidities, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually
poor diet, lack of exercise etc. is making diagnosed in children and young adults
seniors more vulnerable to developing and is caused by the body’s immune system
diabetes. Additionally, diabetes can have attacking the cells in the pancreas that
a significant impact on the health of senior produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more
citizens, leading to various serious health common in adults and occurs when the
complications such as cardiovascular body becomes resistant to insulin, or when
disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, the pancreas is not able to produce enough

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