KARACHI: People have to keep their weight under control and start focusing on physical exercise to protect themselves from diabetes, said Prof A Samad Shera on Sunday.
Prof Shera is the honorary president of the International Diabetics Organisation of the World and director World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Treatment, Education and Research in Diabetes and Diabetic Pregnancies. According to him, cases of diabetes are rising sharply in Pakistan.
He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Diabetics Association of Pakistan, Baqai Institute of Diabetology & Endocrinology (NIDE) and WHO. Prof Shera said according to an estimate, around 7 million Pakistanis above the age of 20 are diabetic. What is more scary is the fact that if preventive methods are not taken, this figure will almost double by the year 2030.
The diabetes expert added that by 2030, Pakistan will rank fourth among the countries with the most diabetic patients.
He said controlling diabetes mellitus type 1 is not possible, but diabetes type 2 can be controlled by watching one’s weight and exercising regularly.
“A physically active life coupled with a proper diet helps in controlling diabetes,” Prof Shera informed. He said men should make a habit of walking briskly, at about 120 steps per minute, while females should be just a bit slower at 90 steps per minute. Caution in nutrition and exercise can provide 35 to 40 per cent protection from diabetes type 2.
Like other developing countries, Pakistan is facing five major hurdles in its control of diabetes: growing population, poverty and lack of resources, illiteracy or low education level and unbalanced diet or a diet rich in fats.
Taking insulin under proper medical guidance is beneficial for patients, he added.
Director (NIDE) Prof Zaman Shaikh said the ratio of diabetes type 1 among Pakistani children is five per cent. “Sadly, cases of diabetes type 2 in children are also being reported,” he said.
According to him, frequent urination, more thirst, tiredness, weak eyesight, itching and anxiety are the initial symptoms of diabetes. If not controlled, this disease can lead to vision loss, kidney failure, stroke and gangrene. He said people should get routine diabetes tests. Sweet food should be substituted by fresh vegetables. Other panelists at the seminar included patron-in-chief Diabetics Association of Pakistan Illahi Bukhsh Soomro, Prof Abdul Basit and Prof Jaffar Naqvi.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2010.
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