An Indian epidemic
Down To Earth|July 16, 2022
Increasing number of children and adolescents in the country are developing diabetes. This will have lethal consequences
TARAN DEOL
An Indian epidemic

IN JANUARY this year, a 13-year-old girl from Chennai was referred to Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre. Doctors at the hospital found that she had severe, uncontrolled diabetes. She was put on a balanced diet and prescribed physical activity and medication. While the girl's diagnosis was incidental, discovered during an investigation for another condition, doctors are worried at the indication that diabetes is becoming increasingly common among younger populations in the country.

The disease is a dysfunction in the body's regulation of blood-sugar levels and comes in two varieties. Type 1 is rare and usually shows up early in life. In this autoimmune disease, the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that helps in the use of glucose for energy. Patients must administer insulin for up to four times a day. Type 2, which the 13-year-old girl was suffering from, is far more common in adults but tends to develop when the body cannot regulate its use of insulin or resists the hormone. Obesity and an inactive lifestyle are the most common causes of Type 2. It can usually be controlled with pills and lifestyle changes. Both types, if not treated well and in time, can cause complications like organ failure, blindness, strokes and heart attacks.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 16, 2022-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 16, 2022-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS DOWN TO EARTHAlle anzeigen
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024