Diabetes: do you know your number?

According to the ICMR-INDIAB study (2023), 23.6% of adults in Kerala have diabetes, and another 18.1% are prediabetic, on the edge of it. Diabetes can stay silent for years. That is why testing matters.

Who should get tested?

• Everyone over 30, at least once a year
• Anyone whose father or mother has diabetes
• People who are overweight, especially around the waist
• Women who had diabetes during pregnancy

Signs to watch for

• Unusual thirst and frequent urination
• Tiredness or weight loss without a reason
• Wounds that are slow to heal
• Blurred vision, tingling in the feet

What you can start today

• At least 150 minutes of brisk walking a week (30 minutes, five days)
• Smaller portions of rice; half the plate vegetables
• Skip sweet drinks and bakery snacks
• Sleep: seven hours a night

Family Health Centres (FHCs) screen people over 30 for diabetes and blood pressure. If you are diagnosed, do not stop the treatment your doctor prescribes.

Arogya Bharati Keralam runs doctor-led screening camps and walking groups at ward level. Tell us if you want one where you live.