Diabetes Management Guidelines in India in 2024

India is currently considered the world's diabetes capital. With over 77 million Indians living with diabetes, the figure is anticipated to rise to 134 million by 2045. This makes diabetes a serious issue that we must address.

So in this article we are going to discuss diabetes management guidelines and some healthy ways of managing diabetes by yourself.

What is Diabetes and why is its management necessary?

Glucose is what your body needs for energy to work properly. Diabetes happens when there's not enough insulin, causing your blood sugar levels to get too high. Insulin, a hormone your pancreas makes, acts like a bouncer, letting glucose into your cells. If too much glucose and insulin aren't working right, it can mess with your cells in different parts of your body. With diabetes, your body can't use glucose for energy. Insulin is crucial for getting glucose into your cells. Without it, your cells can't use glucose well, so your body ends up making more glucose. Blood glucose levels keep rising even if you’re not eating.

Why is diabetes management necessary?

Managing diabetes is crucial because it helps keep blood sugar levels stable, preventing serious health problems. Without proper management, diabetes can lead to complications like heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve issues. Regular monitoring and healthy habits, such as eating right and exercising, help control blood sugar levels. This reduces the risk of these complications and helps people with diabetes live healthier lives. Proper management also prevents symptoms like fatigue and frequent urination, making daily life more comfortable. In short, managing diabetes is essential for overall health and well-being.

Overview on Management of different Types of Diabetes

There are two main forms of diabetes:

• Insulin-dependent diabetes: Insulin is the primary treatment for this condition, and it commonly affects younger people.
• Type II diabetes: This is more common in India and mainly affects adults over 40. It can be treated with diet, exercise, and oral medicines. Some people may need insulin later on.

Understanding the Complications of Uncontrolled Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes can negatively impact your entire body if not managed properly. You need to treat it seriously, even if it isn't causing symptoms now. Maintaining good control is essential for living a normal life. Poor diabetes control might lead to problems later. So for managing diabetes you need to first know the potential complications that comes with this health issue.

Potential Complications:

• Retinopathy leading to blindness is 25 times more likely.
• Kidney disease is 15-20 times more likely.
• Foot troubles are 20-30 times more likely.
• Paralysis is twice as likely.
• Heart disease is 2-4 times more likely.

Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes usually sneaks up on you without you even noticing. You often find out when getting your driving license, or insurance, or doing a routine blood sugar test. Sometimes, you only realize you have it when treating another health issue or before surgery. Here are some common signs of diabetes that might surprise you:

• Feeling hungry and thirsty frequently.
• Losing a lot of weight without trying.
• Getting more infections in your fingers.
• Going to the bathroom more often.
• Feeling extremely tired all the time.

So the main part of diabetes management guidelines is that you should recognize any of these signs and take quick action by visiting your doctor if you see such signs.

Who Needs a Diabetic Self-Test?

For managing diabetes you must learn when to self test for finding the sugar levels of your body, so do a self test if :

• Anyone showing the symptoms listed above.
• Close family members of those with diabetes.
• Pregnant women often develop diabetes due to hormonal and metabolic changes.
• People with obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, or paralysis.
• Women who gave birth to a child weighing more than 4.5 kg.
• Everyone over 45 should check their sugar level once a year.

Diagnosing Diabetes at early stages

The main test for diagnosing diabetes is checking your blood glucose levels. The World Health Organization (WHO) has guidelines for this:

• Fasting venous plasma glucose > 140 mg/100 ml.
• Two hours after consuming 75 gm glucose > 200 mg/100 ml.
• The American Diabetes Association says fasting plasma glucose levels of more than 126 mg/100 ml can also diagnose diabetes.

So the diabetes management guidelines states that if you are having any of the symptoms or the above test resuls for you decalre that your sugar level is high, you ought to take 

Preparing for a Blood Test

Preparation is key:

• Eat normally 3-4 days before the test. Don’t reduce sugar intake to lower your blood sugar levels for the test. This can affect your results and delay diagnosis, leading to serious consequences.
• Fast overnight before taking the blood test. You can have water.
• In the morning after next, get a fasting blood glucose sample. Two hours after a 75g glucose load or lunch, collect a second blood glucose sample.
• Another option is to collect a post-lunch plasma sample one day and a fasting glucose sample the next morning. If you're already diagnosed with diabetes, follow your usual routine on the test day, including regular meals and medications.

Book your health check-up with TruePal today which includes blood glucose levels, TSH, Lipid profile, Kidney and Liver function and other essential tests. 
 

Diabetes Management Programs in India

Diabetes is a significant health issue in India, and several non-governmental programs have been developed to help people manage this condition. Here are three of the top non-governmental diabetes management programs in India, explained:

Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre for Diabetes treatment and management

Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre is a well-known clinic that focuses on treating diabetes. They offer a range of services, including:

• Blood Sugar Testing: Regular tests to check your blood sugar levels.
• Diet Plans: Personalized diet plans to help you eat healthily.
• Exercise Programs: Advice on the best exercises to keep you fit.
• Education: Information about diabetes and how to manage it effectively. This center uses advanced technology and has experienced doctors to provide the best care for people with diabetes.

Apollo Sugar Clinics for Diabetes management and treatment

Apollo Sugar Clinics is part of the Apollo Hospitals group and specializes in diabetes management care. They offer comprehensive services such as:

• Regular Check-ups: Frequent health check-ups to monitor your condition.
• Personalized Treatment Plans: Tailored plans that include medication, diet, and exercise.
• Support Services: Guidance and support from experts to help you manage diabetes better.
• Technology Use: Use of modern technology to track your health and make necessary adjustments to your treatment. Apollo Sugar Clinics aims to provide complete care for people with diabetes, helping them lead healthier lives.

Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF)

The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) is a leading research institute in India that focuses on diabetes care and research. They offer services such as:

• Research-Based Care: Providing treatment based on the latest research findings.
• Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Including blood sugar testing, diet plans, and exercise advice.
• Educational Programs: Offering information sessions and workshops to help people understand and manage diabetes.
• Community Outreach: Working in communities to raise awareness and provide diabetes care to those in need. MDRF aims to improve the lives of people with diabetes through research and comprehensive care.

Dietary Recommendations for Diabetics and diabetes management

Why should salt be restricted?

Diabetics are more likely to have high blood pressure and heart disorders. To manage these problems, it's important to maintain a balanced diet with various food components. To make meals less salty, add tamarind, garlic, fresh lime, onion, or dry mango powder (aamchur).

Final Point on Diabetes management 

Remember: Diabetes care is different for everyone. Don’t compare your medicine doses with others. Managing diabetes involves more than just controlling blood sugar levels. Your doctor understands your situation and will decide what’s best for you. Always feel free to ask your doctor any questions you have.

FAQs on diabetes management and care

1. What is the future of diabetes in India?

   Diabetes is becoming increasingly common in India as a result of changes in lifestyle and urbanisation. By 2045, diabetes is estimated to affect over 100 million people worldwide. It might be avoided with proper food, exercise, and awareness to control this developing health issue.

2. What is India's rank in diabetes?

   India has the second greatest number of diabetes cases in the world, after China.

   Control diabetes early on, book your health check-up at home with TruePal.

3. Can I eat whatever I want if I'm on medication or insulin?

   Diabetes medication is more successful when it doesn't need to work as hard to lower blood glucose levels. Diabetes can be effectively controlled by combining medications, a nutritious diet, and physical activity.

4. Should people with diabetes never eat sugar or sweets?

   While sugar and sweets can boost blood glucose levels, diabetics can consume sugar in moderation within their prescribed calorie intake. To clarify a common misconception, excessive sugar consumption does not automatically lead to diabetes if other risk factors are present.

5. Can you have borderline diabetes for years?

   There is no such thing as borderline diabetes. You either have it or don't. Diabetes is diagnosed when fasting blood glucose levels exceed 126 mg/dl or random blood glucose readings exceed 200 mg/dl on two or more times.

6. Does Insulin cause impotence?

   Men with diabetes may experience erectile dysfunction, but not always due to insulin use. Long-term high blood glucose levels can cause nerve damage, leading to impotence or erectile dysfunction. Diabetes is one of the causes of impotence.