Dehradun, August 6
A sedentary lifestyle coupled with changing food habits may be your undoing. The trappings of modern age are making people fall prey to diabetes early in life and city residents are no exception.

More and more citizens in Dehradun are falling prey to the ailment. Cases of Type II or adult “onset diabetes” are high in the city and most citizens appear prone to developing diabetes later in life. This makes them vulnerable to other health problems like high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.

Part of the blame is on a lifestyle involving fatty food and too little exercise, said health experts at a camp organised by the Doon Diabetic Association today.

Obesity is a known risk factor for diabetes. Dr Bhushan Kumar, MD and president of the Doon Diabetic Association said: “The number of diabetics in India is rising and people in cities are at a severe risk. Unless they alter their lifestyle, most are susceptible to diabetes.

“Basically, it is a disorder of the immune system when the beta cells(producing insulin) in the pancreas are destroyed. As such, cells that defend us from invading organisms are unable to function.”

Epidemiological data shows that the prevalence of type II diabetes is very high among the urban populations. “In Dehradun, over the years the number of patients with Type II diabetes has steadily gone up. Type II diabetes, generally occurs later in life when the cells of the body become less responsive to the regulatory effects of insulin.

“Lack of exercise, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of the reasons that can lead to Type II diabetes. Diabetics can control the problem with diet restrictions and exercise, but many may need extra insulin in the form of tablets or injections.”

Type I diabetes, often referred to as juvenile diabetes, happens when the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin are destroyed. Patients require to be administered insulin daily and a controlled diet for life.

Besides the middle-aged population falling prey to diabetes, cases of juvenile diabetes in the city are also on the rise.

What is worrisome is the fact that relatively young people are being diagnosed with diabetes. “Children as young as six have fallen prey to diabetes. Cutting down on junk food and following a healthy diet chart with high protein and fibre-rich food and fruit rich in Vitamin C can play a major role in keeping them healthy,” said leading doctors at the camp.

Children with diabetes need to have a balanced diet at regular intervals. Ideally, the fat intake should be 20 per cent of the total energy and the intake of carbohydrates needs to be 55 to 70 per cent of the total energy.

“Food prepared in poly-unsaturated fat which is found in olive oil, sunflower oil and corn oil are best for them,”said Dr KC Pant, Doon Hospital.

Outdoor activities like swimming and walking are a must for diabetic children. “Parents need to encourage children to take up outdoor activities instead of spending time on computers, chatting or surfing which reduces metabolic activity and leads to obesity and other disorders. They should be involved in outdoor activities and sports," Pant said.

“If unchecked, diabetes can cause diseases related to the kidneys, heart and nervous system at a later stage,” warned Dr Ajay Khanna, cardiologist.

He said patients in their middle age should undertake regular lipid profile so that early onset of diabetes can be checked.

“Diet and exercise play a key role in keeping the disease at bay.

Diet should be managed in a manner that it comprises 45-60 per cent of carbohydrates, 25 per cent proteins and the rest fats,” said Dr Khanna. Prone to several afflictions, diabetes-stricken patients are more commonly found suffering from retinoplasty, a condition in which the eyesight gets affected if regular check ups are not undertaken.

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. Due to increased levels of sugar in the blood, the vessels in the retina get damaged.

“The blood vessels in the eyes become weak and leak blood that causes scarring in the eye. In extreme cases, the scarring is visible during basic examination,” said Dr BC Ramola, eye surgeon, Doon Hospital.

The leakage may distort vision; the patient begins experiencing periods of blackness and blurred vision. Blurred vision may indicate swelling in the retina. Apart from the basic eye examination, a thorough examination after dilatation of the pupil. If all required information cannot be obtained by clinical examination, an investigation called FFA (fundus fluorescein angiography) is advised to diabetic patients.

In patients with type II diabetes, the incidence of diabetic retinopathy increases with the duration of the disease.

Dehradun, August 6
Dehradun football is replete with famous names like Amar Bahadur Gurung, CP Thapa, Narsingh Gurung, Ratan Thapa and many others. All have curved out a name for themselves at the national level and are a role model for budding footballers.

Despite the fact that the standard of the Dehradun football has gone down over the years, no effort has been made by the Football Association to take the help of veteran players to revive the sport.

Says renowned footballer Amar Bahadur Gurung : “Veteran footballers from the city are willing to share their experience. But over the years, not much has been done to revive Dehradun football with camps being organised at Haldwani. This despite the fact that most tournaments are held in Dehradun.

“The Football Association had asked me to take a team for the under-14 tournament, but I declined the offer. At my age, I can’t travel much,” said Gurung.

Gurung is worried at the state of Dehradun football. “ For raising the standard of football here, big tournaments are need to be organisedas they go a long way in generating interest among the youth.”

Gurung wants to establish a players’ body and an associatrion of coaches in the city. Narsingh Gurung, another veteran footballer, in his seventies says: “I am ready to render my services for improving football in the city. It is time we set our house in order and work in unison.”

Secretary of the Dehradun District Association Divender Bisht says: “We wish to organise camps for budding footballers, but lack of funds has been a major problem.

“Till date, the association has raised funds from its own resources for the tournaments. Paucity of funds has been the association’s undoing.”