Diabetes Day 2025: Mumbai docs say 50 pct of people don’t know they’re diabetic

Diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate in India with millions of people living with the condition It is even more concerning that almost 50 per cent of them remain undiagnosed say Mumbai doctors ahead of World Diabetes Day observed on November 14 every yearMany individuals discover their condition only after developing serious complications like heart disease kidney damage or vision problems Timely screening diagnosis and healthy lifestyle habits are the key to preventing longterm complications and improving quality of lifeDiabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs when the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels It happens either because the pancreas doesnrsquot produce enough insulin Type 1 or the body becomes resistant to insulin Type 2 Over time uncontrolled diabetes can affect major organs and cause heart attacks nerve damage kidney failure blindness and even amputations Still many people who have diabetes donrsquot seek timely helpDr Rashi Agrawal endocrinologist Zynova Shalby Hospital Mumbai says ldquoOne major reason why 50 per cent of the people donrsquot know theyrsquore diabetic is that the disease often progresses silently 5 out of 10 people aged 3065 often come to me only after experiencing complications like kidney issues or heart problems and have a history of diabetes These problems are induced due to unmanaged diabetes Lack of awareness irregular health checkups and the misconception that diabetes affects only older adults further delay detectionrdquoDr Rashi added ldquoCommon symptoms to watch out for are increased thirst or hunger frequent urination especially at night unexplained weight loss fatigue and blurred vision and slowhealing wounds or frequent infections If these symptoms persist it is important to get tested even if you feel otherwise healthy Simple blood sugar screening tests can identify the condition early and prevent severe damage Early diagnosis and good control of blood sugar can prevent most of these outcomes Regular screening after the age of 30 or even earlier especially for those with a family history or sedentary lifestyle is crucial Diabetes management isnrsquot only about medication itrsquos about lifestyle balance A healthy diet regular exercise stress control and annual checkups go a long way in keeping blood sugar stable With awareness and timely intervention it is possible to reduce the burden of complications and improve patient livesrdquoldquoGet your blood sugar checked regularly especially if you have a family history of diabetes Maintain a healthy weight and include physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily Follow a balanced diet rich in whole grains fiber vegetables and lean proteins Avoid excessive sugar junk food and smoking Manage stress and sleep to keep hormones and metabolism balanced Stay consistent with medical followups and prescribed medicationsrdquo said the citybased doctorDr Upasana Garg regional technical chief at Apollo Diagnostics Mumbai further explains ldquoAs diabetes cases rise sharply across India awareness and early screening remain the most powerful tools to fight this silent epidemic Key tests to detect diabetes include the Fasting Blood Sugar FBS test which measures blood sugar after an overnight fast and the Postprandial Blood Sugar PPBS test taken 2 hours after a meal The HbA1c test reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2ndash3 months and helps monitor longterm glucose control as well as effects of ongoing diabetic treatment Regular testing is recommended especially for individuals over 30 those with a family history or anyone showing symptoms like fatigue excessive thirst or frequent urination Detecting diabetes early allows timely treatment reducing the risk of heart kidney gall bladder liver and vision problems Individuals should take charge of their health through regular monitoring balanced lifestyles and timely action because knowing your blood sugar levels could make all the differencerdquo