World Diabetes Day...

November 14 marks World Diabetes Day..


Wasim Akram-The former Pakistani bowler also known as ‘the King of Swing” was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 30 and was at the peak of his career.


Fawad Khan is a diabetic patient from the age of 17. Zeba Bakhtiar , Tariq Aziz and Amjab Islam Amjad also come in this.

Wasim Akram: The former Pakistani bowler also known as ‘the King of Swing” was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 30 and was at the peak of his career. Akram apparently could not believe that he could be a diabetic as he thought that only people over the age of 50 and leading a sedentary lifestyle could get it. Eventually, he learnt to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen that was tailor made for him along with daily insulin doses. To his credit he has about 250 wickets which he took after being diagnosed as a diabetic!

Kamal Hassan: Diabetes has not dampened the spirits of this versatile actor and father of actress Shruti Hassan. He tries to balance a hectic schedule and his Type 1 diabetes and even takes out time to encourage other diabetics to take charge of their lives.

Gaurav Kapur: The Channel V VJ, host of Big Switch 2 and actor was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the tender age of 22. Gaurav now practices yoga and jogs to keep fit, follows a strict diet and avoids alcohol to keep his sugars under control.

Elvis Presley: The King of ‘Rock and Roll’never publically admitted the fact that he was a diabetic and went on leading a high profile life.

Halle Berry: The Oscar winning Hollywood actress was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 23 when she collapsed on the sets of a TV show. The actress then went on to win numerous awards and even an Oscar in 2001. In 2007, she gave birth to a baby girl. “Diabetes turned out to be a gift," she says. "It gave me strength and toughness because I had to face reality, no matter how uncomfortable or painful it was."

Nick Jonas: Teen heartthrob and singer of the boy band ‘The Jonas Brothers’ was diagnosed with diabetes at age 16. Diet, exercise and an insulin pump that delivers insulin throughout the day is what lets Nick lead as normal a life as possible.

Randy Jackson: The American Idol judge, singer and Grammy Award winning producer was obese, had a family history of diabetes and is an African-American(the 3 major risk factors for diabetes) when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Randy has since then, managed to shed around 45kgs (100lbs)with regular exercise and diet.

Salma Hayek: The actress cum producer was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when she was 25 weeks pregnant with her first child. Though this type of diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy, these people have a high risk of developing diabetes later on in life.

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor fights diabetes with insulin and diet plan. Not many persons are understood that I’m struggling with teen diabetes. Diet regime and insulin has kept me on the toes in all these yrs,” tells Sonam Kapoor.


What is pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. It has no apparent symptoms.

If I have pre-diabetes, is it a cause for concern?

American Diabetes Association says people with pre-diabetes have a 1.5-fold risk of cardiovascular disease compared to people with normal blood glucose. People with diabetes have a 2-4-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

If I have pre-diabetes, is it inevitable that I will get diabetes?

No, there is hope. Experts say that diet, exercise and behaviour modification can be used to avoid developing diabetes. Also, pre-diabetes can be prevented from developing into full-blown diabetes, if only you address it. However, without adequate attention, pre-diabetes increases the risk of diabetes greatly.

 The Indian Journal of Medical Research says the number of people with diabetes in India is currently around 40.9 million. This is expected to rise to 69.9 million by 2025 unless urgent preventive steps are taken. Experts also say that we have a propensity to certain ethnic factors, which makes us [Asian-Indians] more prone to diabetes.

Why are high blood sugar levels bad?

Excessive glucose in the blood stream damages the blood vessels. First, the capillaries get affected, because they are the smallest blood vessels.

If blood vessels in the eye get damaged, it can lead to blindness [retinopathy]
If blood vessels in the kidney get damaged, it can lead to kidney failure [nephropathy]
Nerve damage can cause numbness/pain in areas away from the heart, e.g., foot [diabetic foot].

Am I at risk for Diabetes?

Yes, if:

You are often thirsty
You go to the bathroom frequently to pass urine
You lose weight without knowing why
You do not have enough energy
You can’t see well [blurred vision]
You get more infections than usual
You have cuts and bruises that heal slowly
You feel tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
There are two main forms of diabetes.

Type-1 diabetes [previously called Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus {IDDM}], is a condition where patients do not produce their own insulin. Insulin is required for the uptake and processing of sugar by the body’s cells. Type-1 diabetes is said to strike children and young adults. Occasionally, it may present for the first time in the middle aged, or the elderly. However, there is more to it than what meets the eye.
In Type-2 diabetes [Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus {NIDDM}], the cells in the body become resistant to the action of insulin. Also, the pancreas produces too little insulin as it gets exhausted due to continuous demand. Type-2 diabetes generally develops in adults at age 40, or older. Called ‘adult-onset’ diabetes, researchers now suggest that more and more people are developing the Type-2 form of the disease at a much younger age [even teenagers!]. This type is known to be closely associated with obesity, increased stress, advancing age, inactivity, and genetic tendency.

Managing diabetes

control diabetesHealthy eating is a must. Eat 5-6 small meals spread over the day so that your blood glucose levels do not swing from one extreme to the other. Eat also more of highly complex carbohydrates [cereals] and high-fibre [vegetables], but cut down on refined sugars and fat intake. 1-2 fruit helpings are permissible in well-controlled diabetics. Alcohol should be best avoided, or taken occasionally, in small quantities.

Exercise, especially walking, is good for you
Medications, pills and/or insulin injections, are part of your treatment plan. Take them regularly, on your doctor’s advice
Tobacco, in any form, including smoking, is strictly not allowed for diabetics
Skin and foot care are extremely important. A cut or a bruise can lead to delayed healing, and can cause dangerous infections, or complications. So, take good care of your feet
Blood sugar monitoring and control are a must
A regular visit to your family doctor is also a must to detect early damage to the eyes, nerves, blood vessels, or teeth
Carry an identity card that you are diabetic at all times.