A public lecture on ‘Diabetes’ by Dr.Anil Bhansali, Head, Department of Endocrinology, PGIMER will be delivered on 25th March 2006 at 3.00 PM in the APC Auditorium of the campus to address some issues related to the disease.  Members of all associations and organizations working for a common cause are requested to inform their colleagues to reap maximum benefit

Diabetes – a sweet killer

          Diabetes is a very common disorder and unfortunately, our country is the diabetic capital of the world.  As projected by WHO that India houses around 20 millions diabetic and by 2025 the number will be increased to 57 million.  Such a huge number of diabetic population in our country is a challenge to health care providers including doctors and nurses and the society.  It is not that our population is more as our population is second largest in the world after China, but China has lesser numb! er of diabetes as compared to us.  Diabetes has been said to be a disease influenced by nature and nurture, but many studies show that it is nurture which predominates over nature.  The various environmental factors including obesity, sedimentary life style and consumption of junk food and on going stress at work-place or in the family contributes to high incidence of diabetes.  Obesity in particular abdominal obesity also called as ‘apple’ shaped obesity is detrimental for predisposition to diabetes.  Otherwise, in the past, abdominal obesity has been considered as a sign of prosperity in our society.  But in fact, it is a sign of disease and one should try to achieve a waist line of 90 cm for men and 82 cm for women.

Diabetes is usually regarded as a less serious disease in view of its chronicity.  However, it should be remembered that it is a ‘sweet killer’.  It not only affects your eyes, kidney and nerves, but also predisposes for heart attack and stroke.  It is important that with the good blood glucose and blood pressure control along with active life style can prevent or retard the progression of diabetic complications.  It is also imperative that the relatives of patients with diabetes have a high probability to have diabetes in future and it is preventable by active life style and some precautionary measures to overcome this menace.