Ahead of World Diabetes Day on 14 November, Active! gets you the facts on one of the most deadly lifestyle diseases that the World Health Organization estimates will lead to two million deaths by 2030

More than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes, according to recent estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO). "Diabetes is one of the leading causes of mortality right now," says Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, Head of Department, Minimal Access Surgery, Saifee Hospital.



He adds, "As Asians, and Indians, we have a higher degree of visceral fat -- fat on organs in the abdomen, or abdominal fat -- which pre-disposes us to developing Type II diabetes. Genetics loads the gun and environment pulls the trigger."

Diabetes mellitus, known simply as diabetes, is defined as a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce adequate insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin produced by the body. Diabetes results in an increased concentration of glucose in the blood as the body is unable to metabolise the simple sugar. This is why controlling blood sugar is key to managing diabetes.

There are three main categories of diabetes: Type I diabetes, in which the body is unable to produce insulin; Type II diabetes in which the body is unable to use the insulin produced by the body, and Gestational diabetes known as hyperglycaemia, which is recognised during pregnancy. Type II diabetes accounts for almost 95% of all diabetes cases. Factors that contribute to this type of diabetes include age-related factors, consumption of a diet high in fat, and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Symptoms and tests
Among the most common symptoms are polyuria or frequent urination and polydipsia or excessive thirst. Yet, these symptoms can sometimes go undetected. "Half the time noody knonws they are diabetic until they do a routine blood test," says Dr Lakdawala. Other symptoms include blurred vision, weight loss, and tingling in the hands and feet.

Experts advise having cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least once a year, apart from a blood sugar test. Annual trips to your dentist and opthamologist are also recommended, as diabetes can cause health complications in these areas as well.

Diabetes is known to cause a number of health complications, including skin, eye, foot, sexual problems. "Diabetes is one of the major causes of organic, secondary erectile dysfunction," says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, head of department, Sexual Medicine at KEM Hospital.

By 'organic' Dr Bhonsle explains that he means the reason is rooted in the body and not the mind, and by 'secondary', he means that the man must have a history of experiencing a healthy erection, prior to developing diabetes. "55% of the total cases of diabetes develop erectile dysfunction," says Dr Rajan.

Prevention is better
"Diabetes is reversible in certain cases, especially in cases where diabetes was originally caused due to poor lifestyle choices," says Dr Bhonsle.

"We advise all patients with diabetes to follow a balanced diet. It's also best to avoid fruit juices and consume fruits whole, as in the process of juicing a fruit, fibre is lost, which accelerate sugar levels very quickly in the body," says Reema Mehra, dietitian, Hinduja Hospital.

Experts agree healthy lifestyle modification is one of the key ways to managing diabetes. "Diet and exercise is the best form of prevention. Watch what you eat, and make exercise part of your daily routine," advises Dr Lakdawala.

Halle's battle with diabetes
It's hard to imagine that James Bond girl, Halle Berry, once needed to desperately lie down even as the cameras were rolling. The Hollywood hottie then collapsed on the set, and lay dangerously ill in a diabetic coma for a week.

"Diabetes caught me completely off guard," she said to a British tabloid. "None of my family had suffered from the illness and although I was slightly overweight in school, I thought I was pretty healthy.

I fell ill - dramatically - when I was on the TV show, Living Dolls, in 1989. I felt I needed energy but I didn't even have a minute to pop out and get a chocolate bar."