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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : May 21, 2014 12:39 PM IST
November 14 is World Diabetes Day
With diabetes in India assuming epidemic proportions, a survey by Healthkart.com indicates that one out of every five Indians actually believe that diabetes is communicable. With the World Diabetes day around the corner, 'The Diabetes Awareness in India Report', released today has several such shocking findings on the level of awareness of diabetes.
The report, of over 2000 citizens as respondents, points out that 1 out of 4 people have not had their blood glucose level checked in their lifetime, while, experts worldwide suggest that people should get their blood glucose level checked by the age of 35 to avoid future complications.
It also reports that every 2nd person is unaware that alcohol influences blood sugar, or that only 27% of Indians are unaware that pollution causes insulin resistance are facts which would influence not only the current but also future generations. The cost implications of diabetes to society is enormous and runs into thousands of crores of rupees when the direct costs of the illness, plus indirect costs to society due to reduced productivity; and intangible costs, such as compromised quality of life and impact on family are factored. In other words, increase in quality of life through awareness of diabetes can be quite substantial -commented Prashant Tandon, Co-Founder and Managing Director of HealthKart.
Given the well known scale & cost burden associated with diabetes it being amongst the largest and fastest growing health conditions in India (~40-50 M people; ~$30 Bn cost burden), with ~70% of the cost due to complications like the lack of proper management of diabetes. (Read: Top diabetes myths busted)
Top 10 myths associated with diabetes
Diabetes is communicable
20% of the people surveyed thought that diabetes was contagious. It is not contagious. It can't be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly type 2 Diabetes. Lifestyle factors also play a part.
Diabetes can be cured
42% of the people surveyed thought that diabetes can be cured. Unfortunately, cures for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have proved elusive to medical science.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
Lack of exercise cannot cause diabetes
Shockingly, only 1% of the people surveyed found that lack of exercise can be a contributing factor to diabetes. Researchers have found that not taking part in much physical activity could be the primary cause of chronic conditions, including diabetes, obesity and fatty liver disease, and also that taking regular exercise may not actually help people who are sedentary.
Extreme weather does not lead to diabetes
Only 12% of the people surveyed knew that diabetes can be caused due to extreme weather. Extreme temperature changes can have an effect on your diabetes supplies; insulin can break down, blood glucose meters and test strips can be damaged, and altitude can affect blood glucose meter performance.
Unhealthy food habits does not lead to diabetes
Like exercise, the awareness about the link between diabetes and junk food is shocking. Only 2% of the people surveyed thought that unhealthy food habits could lead to diabetes. The consumption of excess sugars and fats in junk foods can contribute to weight gain, and excess weight is associated with diabetes. Carrying too much weight, especially around the midsection, your body cells can become resistant to insulin, a hormone that helps the cells to use glucose (sugars) from your foods for energy. Because the cells are unable to use the insulin properly, your pancreas mistakenly interprets this as a need for insulin, and so it pumps out more of the hormone. Eventually the pancreas wears out and is unable to produce enough insulin to help the body use glucose, and you develop diabetes, a condition where the sugar stays in the blood.
Smoking does not lead to diabetes
Only 31% of the people surveyed knew that smoking increases you chances of getting diabetes. Smoking is a major risk factor for developing all of the complications that come with type 2 diabetes. First, it contributes to the clogging of the arteries. Second, it contributes to raising the blood pressure. Also, it increases the LDL and triglyceride levels, and lowers the HDL levels. (Read: Different ways to quit smoking)
Stress does not lead to diabetes
Only 2% of the people surveyed knew that stress could lead to diabetes. Scientists have studied the effects of stress on glucose levels in people. The effects in people with type 1 diabetes are more mixed. While most people's glucose levels go up with mental stress, others' glucose levels can go down. In people with type 2 diabetes, mental stress often raises blood glucose levels. Physical stress, such as illness or injury, causes higher blood glucose levels in people with either type of diabetes.
Anti-depressants does not lead to diabetes
Only 10% of the people surveyed know about the link between anti-depressants and diabetes. A new systematic review of published studies suggests when prescribing antidepressant medication, clinicians should be extra aware that they are linked to raise risk for type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have said that use of anti-depressants has risen sharply over recent years, and there are concerns they may have an adverse effect on glucose metabolism.
Pre-diabetes cannot be cured
52% of the people surveyed were sure that pre-diabetes could not be cured. However, early treatment can actually return blood glucose levels to the normal range. In fact, you will not develop type 2 diabetes automatically if you have prediabetes. (Read: Diagnosed with prediabetes? Here's what you should know)
Women are more prone to diabetes
34% of the women surveyed believe that women are more prone to diabetes. Studies have indicated that Type I diabetes does not to show a female bias. The overall sex ratio is roughly equal in children diagnosed under the age of 15 however while populations with the highest incidence all show male excess, the lowest risk populations mostly of non-European origin, characteristically show a female bias. (Read: Diabetes: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and complications)
This survey was conducted by Healthkart.com
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