Doctor's Advice Back

Diabetes and future scope for treatment

We thank Dr. A. Ramachandran and Dr. Arun R of Dr. A. Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals for this interview.
Dr. A. Ramachandran, M.D.,Ph.D.,D.Sc.,FRCP ,Chairman / Managing Director, Dr A Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals
Dr Arun R, Director & Consultant Diabetologist, Dr A Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals

We confront many with Diabetes everyday.  When the average number of cases was few some years before, today at least 5 out of 10 individuals are tested with Diabetes. 

Dr Arun Raghavan of Dr A Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospital in an interview with THP explains the age in which 
• One should check Diabetes, 
• Advancements in testing
• Treatments available
• The future scope of diabetes treatment.

We thank Dr A Ramachandran to have given us the opportunity to interact with his protégé. Following are edited excerpts of the interview with Dr Arun.

What is the right age to check if one has the risk of getting Diabetes?
The average age of getting Diabetes in India is 35-40. Earlier it was 45. But nowadays even people in the age of 25 have the risk of getting Diabetes. So if someone finds the symptoms to Diabetes, they should immediately approach a doctor generally of age 35 years, it is advisable to check the blood sugar level irrespective of symptoms 

How often should one check blood sugar levels?
Starting from 35-40, one should be checking the Blood Sugar levels once in a year. If the level is normal, they can go for even once in two years.  

How effective are Glucometers in testing Diabetes?
Today’s Glucometers are very efficient. Its results vary just 5 per cent with tests. Soon we will be having something called GlucoTracks. Six months before it was launched in the US and by another six months, it will be available in India as well.  GlucoTracks are quite efficient in
testing Blood Sugar Levels.

How effective will be Ambulatory Glucose Profile of Abbott?
It is a good mechanism to understand how sugar level fluctuates in a patient. It will be very much required for patients who need insulin and dosage titrations and usefulness will depend upon the amount of Insulin required.

Future Scope for Diabetes treatment?
Oral Insulin administration is the major challenge today. For long time it is in the trial. We are confident it will come up in the next five years. Before 1920s, patients with Type 1 Diabetes were put in a shed until death. Thanks to the invention of Insulin. Diabetes can be managed
with Bionic Pumps, which is currently available in the market. But it is expensive and everyone cannot afford it. If Oral Insulin comes, it will benefit many. (to be continued....)

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