India continues to stand at the forefront of the global diabetes burden, often referred to as the “diabetes capital of the world.” With cases steadily rising among adults and even the youth, the need for awareness and proactive care has never been greater. In the TOI Medithon panel discussions, esteemed doctors and endocrinologists from leading healthcare institutions across India, each with decades of experience in clinical practice, research, and community outreach came together to share their insights on diabetes management.
Through four focused sessions, they explored how lifestyle, family support, myth-busting, andawareness of risk factors together form the foundation of effective, lifelong diabetes care.
1. The Power of Diet, Exercise, and Mental Health
The first panel, on “Exercise and Mental Health in Managing Diabetes,” emphasized how lifestyle choices play a decisive role in preventing and controlling diabetes.
Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, explained that diabetes management is not only about controlling sugar levels but also about achieving overall health balance. He introduced the A, B, C, D approach A for A1c (blood glucose control), B for blood pressure, C for cholesterol, and D for discipline. Discipline, he said, is the thread that connects good diet, regular exercise, restful sleep, and consistent follow-ups.
Dr. Sanjay Kalra, consultant endocrinologist, added that a balanced diet combining complex carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and healthy fats is key. Instead of avoiding staples like rice or roti, patients should practice portion control and moderation.
Completing the triad,
Dr. S. K. Wangnoo, HOD at Apollo Hospital, underlined the need to address mental health. Stress and anxiety can raise blood glucose by increasing cortisol levels.
Meditation, adequate rest, and emotional stability, therefore, are as vital as medical treatment. The panel concluded that sustained lifestyle changes and mental well-being form the true backbone of diabetes management.
2. The Role of Family and Caregivers
The second panel shed light on how families can profoundly influence diabetes outcomes.
Dr. Adylene Reena Solomon explained that families serve as a patient’s emotional and logistical support system. They can help with blood sugar monitoring, medication reminders, and clinic visits, but should avoid becoming overbearing. “Encourage rather than control,” she noted, adding that empathy works far better than criticism.
Dr. Ghurulakshmi Moorthy highlighted the family’s role in meal planning and grocery choices. Stocking healthier, low-glycemic foods, preparing balanced meals together, and maintaining regular eating schedules can greatly support the patient’s health. When families adopt a healthy lifestyle collectively, the person with diabetes feels motivated rather than isolated.
Both experts emphasized that diabetes management thrives in a compassionate, cooperative environment, where patients feel understood, supported, and empowered.
3. Myths in Diabetes Management
The third panel, featuring
Dr. Umesh Kumar Garg, Dr. Amit Rastogi, and Dr. Hameed Ashraf, aimed to dismantle the myths that continue to mislead people about diabetes.
Dr. Garg clarified that feeling fine does not mean blood sugar is under control. Diabetes is largely a silent condition; almost half of patients show no symptoms even when blood sugar levels are dangerously high. Symptoms such as fatigue, excessive thirst, and blurred vision appear late. Hence, regular testing—fasting, post-meal, and HbA1c, is non-negotiable for accurate monitoring.
Dr. Rastogi explained that eating sweets alone does not directly cause diabetes, but high sugar intake aggravates risk factors such as obesity and insulin resistance. He advocated for mindful, moderate eating instead of total restriction.
Dr. Ashraf concluded that diabetes is not “just a sugar issue” but a systemic metabolic disorder that damages both small and large blood vessels, leading to heart disease, kidney damage, and vision problems.
The panel urged people to replace myths with medical facts, stressing that awareness and regular monitoring are the best preventive tools
4. Diabetes Risk Factors and Complications
The final panel, comprising
Dr. Uday Phadke, Dr. Mohan Magdum, and Dr. Hemant Phatale—focused on recognizing risks and preventing complications.
Dr. Phadke noted that 85–90% of patients remain asymptomatic even with high sugar levels, which often delays diagnosis. Diabetes progresses quietly, unlike cardiac problems that present suddenly with chest pain or breathlessness.
Dr. Magdum described how high glucose binds to proteins in the body, creating harmful compounds that damage blood vessels. Microvascular complications affect the eyes (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy), and nerves (neuropathy), while macrovascular complications lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Dr. Phatale illustrated how this vascular damage affects the heart, comparing it to rust corroding metal. Over time, fat builds up inside damaged arteries, causing blockages that lead to coronary artery disease, one of the most fatal complications in diabetes.
The doctors stressed the need for early diagnosis, routine screening, and lifestyle intervention to prevent such irreversible outcomes.
Across all four panels, one message resonated clearly: diabetes management is not limited to medicines—it is a lifelong partnership between patients, families, and healthcare providers.
Diet, exercise, emotional balance, and supportive relationships form the foundation of effective control. Families who nurture empathy instead of anxiety, and individuals who focus on discipline rather than deprivation, can dramatically change outcomes. Regular check-ups, awareness, and consistent self-care remain the most powerful tools to prevent complications.
As Dr. V. Mohan aptly summed up, “With the right lifestyle, discipline, and mindset, diabetes can be managed, its complications prevented, and life lived to the fullest.”
The
TOI Medithon thus showcased a unified vision, a call for collective action and holistic health, reminding us that conquering diabetes requires not only medical intervention but also understanding, compassion, and commitment from all
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