25% Pakistanis Unaware Of Their Diabetic Condition: Experts

APP

Islamabad: Health experts revealed that more than 33 million people in Pakistan are suffering from diabetes, out of which 25 per cent do not even know that they have fall prey of this disease

Every fourth person in Pakistan is suffering from diabetes, and more than 0.1 million people become disabled every year.However, with early diagnosis and access to care, diabetes can be controlled, experts added.

Speaking on World Diabetic Awareness Day, diabetic expert Dr Sumera Batul said that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is on the rise in children, is linked with increased obesity which can be managed by making healthy dietary choices and increasing physical activity.

Diabetic expert Dr Muhammad Shahid highlighted the symptoms of diabetes, saying that if someone feels thirsty, urinates frequently, and suddenly loses weight, they should consult a qualified doctor immediately because diabetes could damage every part of the body.

Dr Shumaila Ghafar advised the public to keep their weight in check, be active, and eat a healthy diet, which can help prevent most cases of type 2 diabetes.

Improper diet, obesity and poor lifestyle are the main causes of this disease. Apart from this, if a person in the family is suffering from diabetes, such a person has a strong chance of suffering from other diseases, Dr Ghafar noted.

Dr Shumaila emphasised that by adhering to standard care for high sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure, many complications could be reduced or completely avoided, adding that the key is to detect the complications early.

Collective efforts are needed to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent the condition in those at high risk of developing it, added Dr Shahid.

Unless people, especially youngsters, change their lifestyle and dietary habits, this problem will continue to haunt us, and millions more people will suffer from it, he maintained.

The World Diabetes Day 2023 awareness day aims to educate individuals about their type 2 diabetes risk, promote early diagnosis and management, and delay or prevent the condition.