Diabetes in women: Experts recommend that women should start monitoring blood sugar from the age of 25 – Times of India

diabetes Affects women differently than men. According to a 2020 research study, one in 10 women aged 35 to 49 in India suffers from diabetes. The study found that at least 50 of the 640 districts had a high prevalence of the disease; These districts are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The study found that the incidence of diabetes is highest among women in the southern and eastern parts of the country.

The study was published online in the May 2020 issue of the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders.

India is called the “Diabetes Capital of the World”

With every 5th person in the world being an Indian, India is often referred to as the “diabetes capital of the world”. In 2019, 77 million adults in the country were suffering from diabetes.

Read: The Way Your Kidneys Prompt You To Go To The Doctor Immediately

Traditionally, diseases are rarely talked about in the context of women.

Most women’s health is neglected in our household. As a always caring and nurturing woman, a woman hardly has anyone to take care of her health.

Several studies have found that diabetes-related mortality is higher among women in India.

A 2021 study titled “Unequal burden of risk factors for diabetes among different sexes in India: A cross-sectional analysis”, although the overall prevalence of diabetes among men is higher, than the Christian category (3.92%) in urban areas. The women concerned, are rich. category (3.22%), women with no schooling (2.51%), who never consumed pulses (2.66%) and green vegetables (2.40%) and daily consumed eggs (3.66%) and chicken or meat (3.54%). Reported not to consume. affected by diabetes than their male counterparts. Studies have also observed a large variation between the prevalence of diabetes in urban and rural populations.

Read: What is the right age to start monitoring blood cholesterol?

Given the prevalence of diabetes among women, we at ETimes-TOI spoke to Dr. V. Mohan – President and Chief Diabetes Specialist at Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialty Center on the topic, including signs, symptoms, risk factors and other risks. Are included. This.

ETimes-TOI: At what age are women most at risk of getting diabetes?

Dr. V. Mohan: Women can get diabetes at any age. During puberty and adolescence, they can have both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. By the time they reach menopause, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women is slightly lower than in men. After menopause, the risk of both type 2 diabetes and heart disease increases significantly for women.

etimes-toi: How does it affect them?
Dr. V. Mohan,
Generally women feel less physically active and their weight starts increasing rapidly. This puts them at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Very often they also have more stress due to domestic and other issues which can also affect them adversely.

etimes-toiWhat is the right age for women to start monitoring their blood sugar levels?
Dr. V. Mohan,
If there is no family history of diabetes, women can start screening for diabetes by age 25 or 30.

For people who have a family history of diabetes, it is better to start screening at the age of 20. If teens also have symptoms of diabetes, they may be tested.

etimes-toiWhat are the early symptoms of diabetes in women? Which symptoms are seen specifically in women?
Dr. V. Mohan:
Symptoms are basically the same as in men.

Common symptoms include excessive thirst, urination, sores that do not heal, and fatigue.

Genital infection is often the first sign. However, if they have vulvovaginitis, one should immediately rule out diabetes.

etimes-toiIs there a risk of other serious diseases?

Dr. V. Mohan: Yes, if they have diabetes, they probably already have obesity, they are also more prone to high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (increased cholesterol) and heart disease. In addition, people who have diabetes are more likely to develop certain types of cancer, eg. Breast cancer and uterine cancer are more common in people with diabetes.