Diabetes: Awareness remains the key

Diabetes is spreading alarmingly around the globe and as such Bangladesh is no exception. It has been estimated that there are approximately seven million people with diabetes in Bangladesh and almost an equal number with undetected diabetes! Diabetes is also on the rise among the country's children. It is more prevalent among children hailing from affluent households as they have sedentary lifestyles and have unhealthy daily diets. Carbonated drinks and fast food aggravate the problem.

There are many wrong conceptions about diabetes. Many think that one cannot function normally if s/he suffers from diabetes. This is completely wrong. If a diabetes patient can keep his/her sugar level under control and lives a disciplined life, then s/he has nothing to worry about. Rather, many diabetes patients enjoy better health after diabetes as they live a more disciplined life.

Awareness of such issues can help the government have control of the diabetes problem that is plaguing the nation at the moment.

Ayesha Afrin

Uttara, Dhaka