RISK FACTORS & DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES

Statistics of diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease. As per world health organisation statistics, India had 31 million diabetics in 2000 and there is an alarming increase in this number with passing time. It is expected that by 2030 India will be a harbouring more than 79 million diabetics. No wonder, India is the world capital of diabetes.

Indians have some unique clinical & biochemical abnormalities that makes  them more prone to develop diabetes and heart disease.

Who is at risk for developing Diabetes?

Risk factors for developing diabetes/ pre diabetes are-

1. Age > 45years
2. Having a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
3. Being overweight/obese
4. Sedentary lifestyle/ Physical inactivity
5. Having high blood pressure or taking treatment for the same
6. Having low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
7. Had history of diabetes during pregnancy
8. Women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

What to do if you have more than 1 risk factor mentioned above?

You should consult an endocrinologist if you have more than one risk factor mentioned above.

Your doctor will give you some tests like glycosylated haemoglobin, oral glucose tolerance test and other tests according to your profile to find out if you have diabetes, pre diabetes or any other problem.

Diagnosis of diabetes/ Prediabetes

 Diabetes can be diagnosed by many tests. Usually a test should be repeated on another day to confirm the diagnosis. But if you have classic symptoms of diabetes or a very high sugar level, then a single test is sufficient.

1. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c)- This is a test to detect your average blood sugar for the past 3 months. It can be done any time during a day irrespective of fasting state.

2. Fasting glucose is measured after an overnight fast of at least 8 hours but not more than 14 hours.

3. Oral glucose tolerance test checks your blood sugar before and 2 hours after making you drink glucose water

Test should be carried out in a lab or a hospital setting. As per reports, your doctor will be able to tell you whether you are normal, pre-diabetic or diabetic.

• If your blood sugar fasting is <100mg/dl, post glucose blood sugar is < 140mg/dl and glycosylated haemoglobin <5.7%, then you have a normal blood sugar.
• If you have fasting blood sugar between 100-125mg/dl (Impaired fasting glucose), post glucose blood sugar between 140-199mg/dl (Impaired glucose tolerance) or glycosylated haemoglobin between 5.7%-6.4%, you are a pre-diabetic.
• If your fasting blood sugar is >125mg/dl, post glucose blood sugar is >200mg/dl or glycosylated haemoglobin is >6.4%, you are a diabetic.

How do I prevent or delay the onset of diabetes?

 If you are normal with regard to blood sugar, but you have certain risk factors mentioned above or if you are a pre-diabetic,you need following measures to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes-

1. You need to follow a dietary regimen
2. Start moderate exercise for at least 30minutes a day for 5 days a week.
3. Lose weight (at least 7% of the initial weight)
4. Periodic follow up with your doctor and repeat testing as per your doctor’s guidance.

If you have diabetes, then your doctor will probably start you on medicines along with lifestyle measures.