“Unhealthy lifestyle and lack of awareness about diabetes bring great health risks. If the presence of diabetes in a person is identified at a later stage, there are high chances for the disease to have affected other vital organs like kidneys. So awareness about diabetes is very important to youngsters. We are working towards that objective, and I firmly believe that saving a young diabetic saves a family,” said Dr.Adityan Guhan, the Director of AGs Health Care Clinic.
He shared these words during the launch of www.covaidiabetes.com, India’s first Interactive Webpage which is entirely dedicated for diabetes. It brings the ABC of Diabetes to the users’ fingertips. This webpage was launched by Dr.Nirmala, Dean, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital in the presence of Dr.Janani Adityan, Director, The Thol Clinic on Saturday.
Once a person gets affected by diabetes, it becomes almost impossible to eliminate it from the body. Dr.Adityan shared that he has seen many young patients below 40 years get affected with diabetes, and struggle to manage it. “Just imagine what diabetes could do to a family if it affects the breadwinner! It shatters them. Contemplating this, I decided to focus my attention on diabetes prevention through awareness.”
Built with an intent to reach youngsters, this webpage is designed in a contemporary style, and features content in both textual and audio format. The basics of diabetes is all there inside this page to create awareness but the features that will truly caution a person are ‘SOS’ and ‘Diabetes Risk Assessment’.
A person with diabetes may feel discomfort in administering insulin due to sweating, palpitation etc. He/she may have lots of fears about the disease, feel sudden issues managing diabetes. By pressing the SOS button on the webpage, the director and his team will be alerted, and qualified medical personnel will provide the needed guidance.
“When pressed during emergency say in case of hypoglycaemia when a person logs into the website and clicks on SOS, the call will be directed to the institute thereby enabling us to do to their location and give the proper care/guidance they need it at that demanding hour which is my close to heart features” Dr.Adityan shared.
The Diabetes Risk Management feature presents before the users 7 simple questions; answering them provides a score that will determine the level of diabetes risk he/she is at. This will be an early warning and remind the person to act safely. The also webpage has so many useful diabetes management tips, myth-busters, dedicated space to Diabetes Facts and Updates, Diabetic Meal Planning, Recipes for Diabetes Patients, Diabetes Foot Care, Nutritional Facts etc.
Dr.Adityan shared that Diabetes is reversible if found early, and even if a person has insulin resistance, it could be managed by modifying lifestyle. Though reversing diabetes is a challenge, it could be done. It has been done in the US, and it is possible here. He urged that youngsters with a sedentary lifestyle should check their blood glucose level periodically.
“Being slim does not mean that diabetes would not affect a person. I urge youngsters to do simple physical exercises, regularly and follow a healthy diet for a happy life,” he added.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Belgium commended the initiative Dr.Adityan has taken and published about his work on their website.