Battling Diabetes

Healthy living is the theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day

14 November is commemorated as World Diabetes Day every year to raise awareness and control the dangers of this dreaded disease. According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 371 million people in the world have diabetes and that one out of every two people with diabetes doesn’t even know they have it. This is a cause of serious concern as more people are not aware of the disease and are living with it.

Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, Chairman and Chief Diabetologist, Jothydev's Diabetes Research Center, Thiruvananthapuram, believes that a diabetic needs to accept the situation and develop a positive and holistic approach to it. “He should be empowered to be part of a bigger team consisting of the doctor, counsellor, dietician and the family support, which is equally important,” says Kesavadev.

According to Dr Tom Babu, Medical Director & Consultant Endocrinologist, Silverline Hospital, Kochi, healthy living through proper diet and exercise is more effective in managing diabetes than some of the best medication available for diabetes. With this year’s focus on practising healthy living, here are a few things that diabetic people should keep in mind for better control of diabetes.

A healthy diet 
It is important to begin your day with a healthy breakfast, considered the most important meal of the day. Include plenty of proteins and whole grains for breakfast in the form of eggs, fruits, cereals, whole grain bread, skimmed milk and good unsaturated fat like peanut butter or cashew butter and plenty of yogurt. A good breakfast gives you the energy to continue through the day, while keeping the blood sugar levels under control, preventing weight gain and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Regular health checks 
When it comes to treatment of diabetes, the duration of the disease and the age of the patient are of pivotal importance. Apart from monitoring the blood sugar or blood glucose, a diabetic patient needs to carry out kidney function test, liver function test and thyroid function test besides checking the lipid profile, urine microalbumin once a year. 

To conclude, diabetes is a lifestyle ailment and awareness and educating young is the key to the problem. Simple lifestyle measures are effective in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight, enjoying physical activity at least half an hour for 5 days a week and consuming a healthy diet by reducing intake of sugar, fats and increasing fibre.