WHO says urgent and concerted efforts are needed to tackle diabetes epidemic

Diabetes rarely makes headlines, and yet it will be the world's seventh largest killer by 2030 unless intense and focused efforts are made by governments, communities and individuals,’ Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

By: Agencies | | Published: March 29, 2016 6:20 pm

Tags: Diabetes treatment Prevention of diabetes WHO

It keeps diabetes under control: A study published in the year 2004 in the journal Food & Function, stated that Indian gooseberries, thanks to its constituents like gallic acid, gallotanin, ellagic acid and corilagin have anti-diabetic properties that help lower blood glucose level, treat diabetic neuropathy and lower incidences of heart diseases in diabetics [1].

Countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region must take vigorous and concerted action to ‘prevent, treat and beat’ diabetes, a potentially fatal disease that has reached epidemic proportions and is expected to further increase in coming years. Diabetes rarely makes headlines, and yet it will be the world’s seventh largest killer by 2030 unless intense and focused efforts are made by governments, communities and individuals, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, said ahead of World Health Day, which is celebrated on 7 April every year. Also Read - Diabetes: Beneficial gut bacteria can play a key role in treating the condition

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World Health Day this year focuses on diabetes and calls for scaling up efforts to prevent, care for and detect the disease to arrest the global epidemic which is hitting the low and middle income countries the most. Diabetes is of particular concern in the Region. More than one out of every four of the 3.7 million diabetes-related deaths globally occur in the Region, while its prevalence exacerbates difficulties in the control of major infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Almost half of the 96 million people suffering the disease don’t know they have it. If diabetes prevalence continues to rise, the personal, social and economic consequences will deepen, she said. Here is expert advice on Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes. Also Read - Two amazing diabetes breakthroughs of 2020

Sedentary lifestyles coupled with sugary, salty and fatty diets rich in refined carbohydrates are driving the epidemic, which in the Region affects primarily those in their productive prime. Nearly 90 percent of all diabetes cases are of Type 2 diabetes, largely the result of excess bodyweight and physical inactivity. It is both preventable and treatable if detected early. If not properly managed the disease causes serious damage to every major organ in the body, resulting in heart attacks, strokes, blindness and nerve damage. Here are 8 facts about diabetes you didn t know.

There are individual steps that we can, and must take. Eating healthily and avoiding sugary drinks is a good place to start. We must also control our portion sizes, and ensure they are matched to our energy needs rather than the size of our plate, Dr Khetrapal Singh said. Regular exercise for 30 minutes, and at least five times a week, is necessary for adults to help control weight. Governments must regulate the marketing of food to children, and insist on accurate food labeling to help consumers make decisions that can help them avoid diabetes. (Read: 6 unhealthy diet habits that diabetics assume are healthy)

Taxing sugary beverages and re-investing the revenue in health promotion activities is an evidence-based intervention that makes real change, she said. Dr. Khetrapal Singh said that the governments must also increase access to healthcare and promote educational campaigns regarding self-management and control as well as making treatment less costly. Diabetes can be managed successfully. It does not have to lead to complications or be fatal, Dr. Khetrapal Singh added. Early detection and strict adherence to management strategies is essential to limit diabetes-related complications. (Read: 10 Ways To Control Diabetes Naturally)

Source: ANI

Photo source: Getty images(Image for representational purpose only)

Published : March 29, 2016 6:20 pm

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