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Diabetes is a disorder wherein glucose does not reach the cells, thus starving them of energy. If not managed well, this disease can lead to life-threatening complications. Today, India is considered to be among the top 3 countries in the world with the highest diabetic population.

At Apollo Clinic’s Specialty Clinic for Diabetes, we are dedicated to creating awareness of the fact that diabetes is a disorder and not a disease. With timely intervention, it can be managed.

What is Diabetes?
In diabetes, cells starve for energy because glucose is unable to reach them. This is because there are deficient levels of insulin in the blood or the body’s ability to use insulin is reduced. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps our cells absorb glucose. As the cells are unable to absorb glucose, the levels of blood sugar rise. Consistently high levels of blood sugar could cause serious complications such as kidney, foot, eye or heart disease.

What causes Diabetes?
There are several types of diabetes –Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, Juvenile and Pre-diabetes. Of these, Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent and can be easily managed. Causes of Type 2 diabetes include:

Non-modifiable factors – Family history of diabetes, age over 45 years , race/ethnicity, history of gestational diabetes

Modifiable factors – High cholesterol, high blood pressure, high body fat/body weight, physical inactivity

What are the signs and symptoms of Diabetes?
Generally, Type 2 diabetes has mild symptoms which may go unnoticed. Our experts at Apollo Clinic’s Specialty Clinic for Diabetes indicate some signs and symptoms of diabetes to watch out for:

• Increased appetite
• Unexplained loss of weight
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Lack of interest, concentration and tiredness
• Pain, numbness or tingling sensation in the hands or feet
• Blurry vision
• Slow wound healing
• Vomiting and stomach-ache
• Infections and itching around the genital area

How can we help you?

At Apollo Clinic’s Specialty Clinic for Diabetes, we have devised a 4-step comprehensive approach for diabetes treatment. Our unique approach helps maintain good sugar control over a long term and help prevent its consequences. The four steps include:

Compliance – By compliance, we mean the extent to which an individual complies with the medical advice prescribed. This encompasses diet, physical activity, medication and frequency of testing. To encourage compliance, we facilitate your interaction with our expert diabetologists, train and educate you on the importance of compliance, provide easy access to our clinics and follow-up on appointments and tests.

Physical activity – Our fitness experts will carefully consider your medication, food intake, any other conditions you may be facing, and your exercise history. Based on the findings, they will prescribe an exercise regimen including proper exercises, time span and frequency.

Diabetes diet – Our expert dieticians and nutritionists will help create a customised, balanced diabetic diet containing the right amount of food needed to meet your body’s nutritional requirements. We follow the plate method to make it simpler for our patients to understand and remember.

Testing and monitoring – One of the critical aspects of diabetes management is regularly monitoring your glucose levels and maintaining a record of it. Our diabetologists will consider your ongoing diabetes treatment, current glucose levels and other factors and establish treatment goals. They will then educate you on self-monitoring of blood sugar levels using a device called a glucometer. Also, they may also recommend the following tests on a case-to-case basis:
A quarterly or biannual review check up to monitor HbA1c, diet and physical activity, blood pressure, weight and BMI; feet health and lifestyle habits such as smoking will also be considered if you are found positive for neuropathy
An annual visit to check diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, distal symmetric neuropathy
Non-invasive diabetes risk assessment and glucose tolerance test

Apollo Support

At Apollo Clinic’s Specialty Clinic for Diabetes, we tailor lifestyle and behaviour modification programs that are highly successful in controlling the consequences of diabetes. Our unique 4-step model has helped reduce HbA1c levels in diabetes patients by as much as 15%! We are well-equipped with senior diabetologists, endocrinologists and state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities designed to provide best-in-class care and holistic support round-the-clock.