TAXILA: Dieticians and endocrinologists at a seminar on Tuesday warned that one in 10 Pakistanis is suffering from diabetes.

The seminar on the management of diabetes was organised in Wah Cantt by the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians Taxila in collaboration with Mattin Dow Pharma. The purpose of the event was to create awareness among people especially families with a history of diabetes, patient and health practitioners from public and private sector hospitals.

Doctors said that diabetes is a condition in which the glucose levels in the body rise and the body either produces insufficient levels of insulin or stops producing it and warned that an unbalanced diet, lack of exercise and sleeping after eating large meals contribute towards the disease. Doctors also warned that patients must control their blood sugar levels because once they increase by more than 20 to 25 per cent, it is difficult to manage it.

It was revealed that across the world, some 90 per cent of diabetes patients suffer from type-2 diabetes while 10 per cent have type-1. The speakers warned that there is a need for urgent action to control diabetes across the world.

Dr Khawar Bashir, consultant vascular physician and specialist in bio-oxidative medicine, said that diabetes is a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. He informed the audience that while type-1 diabetes is not preventable, type-2 is preventable and series of complications can be avoided by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Treatment for patients with type-2 diabetes involves education, emphasis on lifestyle changes including diet, exercise and weight reduction when appropriate.

Senior consultant at the Margalla Hospital, Dr Jehangir Anjum, said that diabetes can be avoided through a healthy lifestyle. He warned that consumption of fast food and sugary drinks contributes towards diabetes.

“If we do not take care of our diet, we increase the blood sugar levels in our diet. While diabetes is a common illness, it can be easily cured by eating a balanced diet,” the doctor said.

Addressing the participants at the seminar, Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians President Dr Syed Asad Ali said that 120,000 people lose their battle against diabetes in Pakistan, every year.

The doctor spoke on various aspects of the illness including diet and management of diabetes, adding that obesity, genetics and lack of physical activity are some of the obvious causes of diabetes.

“Surgery is one of the options which can be used to reduce weight and manage diabetes,” Dr Ali said.

Like other doctors, he reiterated the importance of exercise in preventing illness.

Dr Ellahi Bukhsh Awan, CEO of the Alam Hospital, in his concluding address also called for balanced nutrition, healthy lifestyle and weight management. “Diabetes is a growing health concern in Pakistan but this disease if managed properly does not have to affect one’s lifestyle, career or routines. With healthier habits, diabetes can be defeated,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2015

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