Diabetes in India: 4 out of 10 diabetes patients in India are unaware of their disease, according to a new study, which states that the risk is double in urban areas.

Diabetes in India: There are many diseases in our country that silently enter the body and slowly destroy our health from within. Diabetes is one of them, which people often do not take seriously until it turns into a big problem. A new study published recently in Lancet has made a shocking revelation. About 4 out of every 10 diabetes patients in India do not know that they have this disease. 

This study was conducted between 2017 and 2019 on people aged 45 years and above, and it was found that 20 percent of people in this age group suffer from diabetes. Its percentage is almost the same in both men and women. The study also revealed that the number of diabetes patients in urban areas is almost double that of rural areas. The reason for this is believed to be the difference in lifestyle, eating habits and physical activities. 

Serious situation of diabetes in India

India has the second highest number of diabetes patients in the world among adults aged 20 to 79 years. About 3% of the total deaths in India in 2019 were due to diabetes. Along with this, the number of high blood pressure patients is also increasing rapidly. Both diseases, if not identified and controlled in time, can cause many serious problems like heart, kidney and eyes.

Lack of medical treatment in villages

The study also found that facilities for treating diabetes and high blood pressure are very poor in rural areas of India. A survey conducted by ICMR and WHO in 19 districts of seven states found that only 40% of sub-centres are equipped to treat these diseases. 

• The diabetes drug metformin was not available in one-third of the centres
• Nearly half the centres (45%) had a shortage of the high blood pressure drug amlodipine
• Prevention and timely identification is essential

Both diabetes and high blood pressure are diseases that can be controlled by timely diagnosis and taking the right medication. Early diagnosis, balanced diet, regular exercise and timely medication can prevent serious damage caused by them.