The incidence of non-communicable diseases in India is overtaking communicable ones. Diabetes seems to be the king of all.
In a first of our ‘Stay Healthy with Raheja QBE’ series, we bring this homily from Dr. Anil Bhoraskar, an eminent diabetologist at S.L. Raheja (A Fortis Associate) Hospital. The hospital is a Centre of Excellence in Diabetes Care under the auspices of International Diabetic Federation (IDF).
Raheja QBE has recently launched its first health insurance product and supports the Diabetic Association of India as a CSR commitment.
A sudden and sharp rise in prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiac and cancer is a major concern and this rise cannot be only blamed for our ethnicity or genetics. Education is the key as well as increased awareness by the entire community particularly the school going children will definitely help controlling this epidemic.
Most of these diseases are preventable. However, their early detection or even their precursor condition such as pre-diabetes can be detected only if we have a high index of suspicion and increased awareness of their patho-physiology and mechanism of producing various complications.
Diabetic Association of India is at the forefront in disseminating scientifically correct information to all the segments of the society through its various channels such as Continuing Medical Education, Journals, awareness camps and programs which are carried out throughout the year and they offer authentic guidelines aimed to change the lifestyle of the people.
- Diet and Nutrition: Education regarding dietary facts and the ill effects of certain facts which are commonly taken with the false notion of being very safe and heart friendly appear to be the major problem in our diet. Our dieticians work hard on changing eating practices, particularly the children’s interest in the fast food.We call it Junk food and there is a tremendous response to these efforts so much so that the Government of Maharashtra has banned junk food in the schools. We conduct classes for the children on healthy nutrition and its beneficial effects so that these very children act as our messengers and ambassadors and help us to spread right information to their parents and change their eating habits as well.
- Periodic Health checkups of all the members of the community who have access to medical facility at S. L. Raheja hospital are screened for:
- Pre-diabetes and diabetes
- Hyper lipedemia (elevated cholesterol and Triglycerides)
- Hypertension
- Early signs of cardiac failure and Ischaemic heart disease
- Early detection of Cancer particularly Head Face Neck, Breast and Genito-Vaginal region
- Visual problems including increased eye pressure (Glaucoma)
- Oral Hygiene and dental health
- Early detection of learning disability in young and certain preventable neurological illnesses
- Counselling of the patients and their relatives
- Detection of Osteoporosis and certain types of Arthritis
- Preventable foot lesions which might lead to serious complications involving lower extremities
Thorough clinical examinations conducted by senior experts will reveal many hidden problems, which if not controlled in time, could lead to serious complications.
After thorough clinical examination certain blood tests and imaging are conducted to give us a right guideline to decide on the line of action. This form of service has helped many people detect disease in very early stage and have thereby enjoyed the benefits of a complication free life.
Author
Dr. Anil Bhoraskar, represented South East Asia at International Diabetic Federation (IDF) Centres of Excellence in Diabetic Care, IDF Congress 2017 (Abu Dhabi, 4-8 December 2017). IDF is an umbrella organization of over 230 national diabetes associations in 170 countries and territories. It represents the interests of growing number of people with diabetes and those at risk. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950.
