MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Eminent diabetes specialist Dr Shaukat Bukhari, when talking about the issue of diabetes in Azad Kashmir, has cautioned that diabetes is spreading fast in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In an interview to Kashmir Digital, he explained the two types of diabetes. According to him, type 1 diabetes occurs because of a lack of insulin produced in the pancreas due to a deficiency of beta cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is when insulin is present but doesn’t work.
Dr Shaukat said that diabetes occurs when the beta cells in the pancreas are reduced, as they are the ones that produce insulin. He cited genetic factors, lack of physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle, and excessive intake of junk food such as burgers, pizzas, bakery items, and soft drinks as major contributors to the disease. These habits are now affecting not just adults but also children and young people.
He further added that people go to parks for visiting purposes but instead of exercising, they indulge in the intake of junk food, which further deteriorates the situation.
Dr Shaukat also cautioned that diabetes leads to some of the worst complications, such as heart attacks, failure of kidneys, strokes, and skin problems. It is a hereditary disease, too; the person who has diabetic parents is more susceptible to the disease.
For preventing diabetes, Dr Shaukat suggested walking for more than an hour a day and exercising regularly. He also advised avoiding junk foods and consuming food that is pure and traditional instead.
Diabetes is a chronic disease resulting from the inability of the body to produce sufficient insulin or utilize it appropriately. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. When the body’s insulin is not functioning correctly, sugar in the blood becomes toxic and leads to severe health issues. Although diabetes cannot be permanently cured yet, a healthy lifestyle coupled with medical treatment can manage it well.
