Diabetes Symptoms, Treatment, Diet: Treatment of Chronic Diseases During Covid-19 Pandemic

Diabetes Symptoms, Treatment, Diet: As you are experiencing a pandemic of the coronavirus Covid-19, you should not ignore chronic diseases like diabetes. Many people in India suffer from diabetes. According to data provided by the World Health Organization, chronic diseases affect about Rs 4.22 billion people worldwide, with 160,000 people dying from diabetes each year. The Financial Express Online spoke with Dr. Usha Ayyagari, Senior Consultant for Endocrinologists and Diabetologists at Apollo Specialty Hospital in OMR, Chennai.

1. What is the most recommended diet for diabetes?

There is no universally recommended diet, especially for diabetes. People with diabetes should follow the principles of a healthy diet. These include eating in the right proportions on time. The “plate method” is an easy way to estimate the ratio. Fill half of the plate with vegetables and vegetables. The other half of the plate can be divided into carbohydrates and proteins. Choose complex carbohydrates whenever possible. They have more fiber and reduce the rise in blood sugar. Fiber also makes you feel full faster and prevents you from becoming hungry quickly. If you eat “simple carbs”, limit the amount and mix in good protein.

If you use fats, be sure to choose oils that contain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and limit the amount. Be aware of “hidden fats” such as processed foods such as potato chips and baked goods and ready-made foods, and limit fried foods and high-calorie foods to once a week. Egg whites, chicken and fish are all good sources of lean protein. For vegetarians, legumes, lentils, dairy products and nuts are excellent sources of protein. You need to make sure that you are consuming protein with every meal.

2. How is obesity associated with diabetes management in the Indian situation?

Obesity is one of the most important risk factors for diabetes. More importantly, this is one of the risk factors that can be changed. In prediabetes, losing enough weight can help normalize blood sugar levels, or at least slow the progression to diabetes. In the first few years after a diagnosis of diabetes, the more weight you lose, the more likely you are to have diabetes.

Even in the second half of the diabetic course, body weight is significantly correlated with diabetes control and dosage requirements. At any stage of prediabetes or diabetes, a loss of only 5% of body weight leads to improved health and control. If you lose more, you will enjoy the benefits.

Easier than losing weight is trying to maintain a healthy weight from an early age. Encourage children to stay active and prevent excessive weight gain, especially at important points in their lives, such as at the end of education or when starting a new job. And during pregnancy.

3. What are the new areas of treatment if life-threatening illnesses such as cancer are also detected in diabetes?

Diabetes causes many comorbidities and long-term complications, and diabetics are at risk for various forms of cancer, including liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and bladder cancer. I will. This increase in cancer incidence is associated with worse consequences and reduced cancer survival. Age, lack of physical activity, and obesity are also independently associated with both cancer and diabetes.

So lose extra weight, become more active, exercise daily, and control your diabetes well. Some modern diabetes medications not only control blood sugar levels, but also have many benefits. There is also evidence that some of the drugs used to treat diabetes may help reduce the risk of cancer. Talk to your diabetes specialist about this. ..

4. What is the remote monitoring software made for diabetes management? How does it work? Side effects, if any.

Remote surveillance has long existed in some areas of chronic disease treatment, but has come to the forefront of this pandemic where people cannot see a doctor directly. The advent of new technologies has made it easier to keep patients monitored through several telemedicine channels, including telephone, email, and video consultations.

In diabetes, connected blood glucose meters, continuous blood glucose monitoring, and insulin pumps have brought remote monitoring within reach of everyone, even in real time. Most of these devices link to smartphones and send data when connected to the web. Patients can send glucose data directly to their doctor. Or with certain devices, doctors can receive alerts directly to see measurements. You can then recommend changes to management as needed. Other devices, such as linked BP monitors, can provide additional information.

These devices not only provide metrics and data, but also monitor adherence to treatment and examination plans, closely monitor patients in need of special care, adjust dosages, and possibly hospitalization and complications. Allows prevention or mitigation. The main limiting factors for all these devices are cost and human resources.

(Disclaimer: All information provided in this article is an independent view expressed by Dr. Usha Ayyagari, an endocrinologist and diabetologist at Apollo Specialty Hospital in OMR, Chennai, for general overview and educational purposes only. is.)