Actor Priyanka Chopra in a recent interview spoke about diabetes and how there's very little awareness about the disease. She featured on National Geographic list of celebs who use their platform to promote early detection of the condition.
Chopra highlighted that even though the country has the highest number of diabetes cases, the awareness is really low. Incidentally, the actor's husband Nick Jonas was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 13 years of age.
Sharing an anecdote around how she anxious she was about Nick's condition, the actor mentioned that she used to wake up in the middle of the night just to see if Nick was breathing.
A lot of people are afraid when it comes to diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. On this, Chopra urged, "Don't be afraid of the diagnosis... You can handle and live with this condition - and actually thrive with it."
To do their bit, Priyanka is a part of a nonprofit, co-founded by Nick, that reportedly aims to hold awareness campaigns in India around early diagnosis of the disease. Moneycontrol team spoke to Dr Sandeep Kharb, senior consultant, Endocrinology, Asian Hospital, to understand more about type 1 diabetes and how people can help manage it.
"Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. It is not related to any lifestyle factors, but it may be related to genetic factors. It may also be triggered by infections. Even children and teens can be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. However, people with type 1 diabetes can live completely normal lives if they follow the right management techniques," he said.
"What one must understand is that people with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They need to make sure to check their blood sugar levels regularly. Also, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and not miss medication," Dr Kharb explained.
A lot of people don't understand the key difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. "There are initial symptoms, such as increased urination, weight loss, and tiredness, however, people often end up ignoring all these warning signs. It so happens, because there's less awareness. Early diagnosis can help a lot in regulating the disease from early on," Dr Kharb shared.
A lot of people get alarmed upon being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. However, the endocrinologist shared that people should not dread it and in fact buckle up to manage the disease early on. “One needs to become responsible and take accountability. The earlier you learn how to manage type 1 diabetes, the better it is," he added.
Rgulating blood sugar levels in the body is crucial. Too high or too low blood sugar level can trigger medical emergencies. "What one must know and bear in mind is that diabetes can cause serious damage to organs such as the heart and the kidneys if it is not managed well. So, one must act with due diligence," Dr Kharb told Moneycontrol on a concluding note.
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1. What is Type 2 diabetes?
It is a chronic condition where the body either resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough, leading to high blood sugar levels.
2. What causes Type 2 diabetes?
It is caused by a combination of insulin resistance, genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, and excess weight.
3. What are the common symptoms?
Frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds.
4. Who is at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes?
People who are overweight, inactive, have a family history, or are above 40 are at higher risk.
5. How is it different from Type 1 diabetes?
Type 2 develops gradually and is often linked to lifestyle, while Type 1 is an autoimmune condition.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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