Study: Diabetes, infertility top concerns for Bangalureans

BENGALURU :

Diabetes

, infertility and contraception, and adolescent behavioural psychology were the top three health issues for which Bengalureans sought expert help this year, says a study by Lybrate Healthscape, one of India’s largest online doctor consultation platforms.

The survey conducted on one million Bengalureans showed phenomenal growth in terms of interactions with doctors over a year. The number of interactions on infertility and contraception saw a 290% jump as compared to last year, followed by adolescent and behavioural psychology, which recorded a 265% rise.

While 33% people consulted doctors for diabetes, and 27% for infertility and contraception, 24% had conversations around adolescent and behavioural psychology. Fitness and wellness was also a topic of discussion with 16% Bengalureans consulting doctors for the same.

Lifestyle diseases

Studies conducted by other online consultation platforms also reveal similar trends. Jyotsna Pattabiraman, founder and CEO, Grow Fit, said: “Diabetes and other lifestyle diseases are a silent epidemic that has a disproportionate burden on youngsters. Almost 30% of people in the 25-35 age group have been diagnosed with a lifestyle disease, among which diabetes is prominent. Nutrition is key to preventing and reversing lifestyle diseases.”

According to Dr Rekuram Varadharaj, co-founder and COO at Healthi, an online consultancy platform, a large section of the population is suffering from or is at risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. “In the city, 14% women and 29% men are at risk of or are suffering from diabetes. However, people are keen on incorporating lifestyle changes and take the path of wellness which is a very positive sign. Increased awareness will help turn the tide in managing chronic and lifestyle diseases,” he added.

Dr

Ali Zama

, a city-based general physician, said long working hours, traffic snarls, fewer places to walk and easy access to junk food are reasons why diabetes is on the rise in Bengaluru. “Asians are more prone to insulin resistance due to their ethnicity. Increase in weight can exacerbate this condition. Many of those who are suffer ing from this condition belong to the IT sector; those who work in other industries, teachers, and students are also part of the group.

Stress

is another contributing factor,” he said.

“Youths are more educated and career oriented now. Marriage and starting a family are not in the priority list of those in 20s. But, their biological clock keeps ticking and the more they delay conceiving, the higher are their chances of developing infertility. The snowballing stress and pollution levels, unhealthy lifestyle and absence of a proper sleep pattern are leading to rise in male and female infertility,” said Dr Nandita Palshetkar, medical director at Bloom IVF and president-elect of the

Federation of Obstetrics

and Gynaecological Societies of India.