HYDERABAD: Around 14% of women and 18% of men in the state are being monitored for abnormal blood sugar levels or taking medicine to control the blood sugar levels in the state. Abnormal sugar levels recorded were greater than 140 mg/dl.
Data from the Union Health and Family Welfare department shows that that blood sugar levels in both men and women are higher in urban areas than in rural areas.
In Telangana, 21% men in urban areas had high blood sugar (greater than 140 mg/dl), compared to 16% in rural regions. About 18% of women in cities have this condition, compared to 13% of women in rural regions, while 14% of women in rural areas take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Interestingly, World Health Organization (WHO) data for November revealed that approximately only 25% of diabetics are correctly using their medication. The rest are either using it inappropriately or not using medication at all. “Any blood sugar level (post lunch) of 140 mg/dl is considered high though it is not diabetic. Blood sugar levels above 180 mg/dl are considered a diabetic condition. This requires lifestyle management with a healthy diet, proper medicine and regular exercising,” said Dr Kiran Madala, an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) certified researcher.
WHO also estimated that by 2017, nine million people worldwide had Type 1 diabetes (since childhood with specific medical conditions), but that 95% of patients had Type 2 diabetes, which is caused primarily by lifestyle issues and can be controlled with the help of maintaining healthy body weight.
Adults with diabetes have a two-to three-fold greater risk of heart attack and stroke, according to experts. Worldwide, around 54% of potential diabetics are not identified, and in India, the figure is 49.7%. “Avoiding smoking and drinking after a certain age,” Dr Kiran said.
