The expert panel was
holding discussions at the third edition of the series themed - ‘Diabetes
Management During COVID-19’
· Poorer controlled
diabetics pose higher vulnerability to COVID compared to those who are fit and
control their diabetes routinely
· Diabetics should
avoid getting into fad diets like intermittent dieting or keto diet- focus on
well-balanced diet of green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds
The Associated Chambers
of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), one of the apex trade
associations of India concluded the third edition of the ‘Illness to Wellness’
series themed ‘Diabetes Management During COVID-19’ with an eminent panel of
diabetes experts invited to hold dialogue on the illness. The galaxy of experts
highlighted that patients with poorly controlled diabetes with comorbidities
are more vulnerable to developing severe symptoms for COVID-19.
Supported by the hygiene
brand SAVLON, the programme which promotes healthy living with focus on
wellness and preventive health through healthy habits, diet, exercise, and
holistic health saw the speakers deliberate on how diabetics in India can best
undertake preventive measures at home during COVID-19.
India currently stands
in second place in number of diabetes cases across the world after China,
according to the International Diabetes Foundation Diabetes Atlas. India is
said to have approximately 77 million diabetics.
Highlighting on the
importance of regulating and monitoring for diabetic patients during COVID-19,
(Padma Bhushan) Dr. Ambrish Mittal, Chairman and Head of Endocrinology and
Diabetes Department at Max Healthcare said, “A young, newly diagnosed
or well controlled fit diabetic is not the same as an old diabetic with poorer
control. If you are a well-controlled otherwise fit diabetic, then you really
not at too much of risk of getting COVID, however, same protocol as others need
to be observed with stringent precautions. If a diabetic does turn out to be
COVID positive and asymptomatic then you need to undergo quarantine, if you are
symptomatic mildly then you need to be in touch with your doctor and may also
require testing from time to time but this can still be managed from home with
isolation. If you are highly vulnerable with old age and conditions like kidney
diseases, diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure then it is advisable that
you get admitted.”
Taking the discussion
further, (Padma Shri) Prof. (Dr.) Anoop Misra, Executive Chairman, Fortis
C-DOC, laid focus on regulating and monitoring sugar levels for diabetics
during COVID-19. “Stick to your medication, do not leave your medication and
check your sugar level constantly. Get your home monitoring kit and use it to
monitor your levels. It is not advisable to go to a lab to get tests done right
now. Sugar management and control is of utmost importance as this itself will
indicate what will be your state if you were to contract COVID, whether it will
be mild or severe. This applies to non-diabetics too as many people are gaining
weight this time and are inclined to pick-up diabetes,” he said.
Stressing the importance
of maintaining a healthy diet that consists of ample supply of proteins, fibres
and micro-nutrients, Dr. Misra added, “Do not get into fad diets like
intermittent fasting or keto diets. A usual balanced meal with 3-4 servings of
fruits and vegetables and green leafy veggies should be enough. People need to
also take in plenty of nuts and seeds and to get a good amount of fibres and
micronutrients nutrients in their diets.”
He then went on to list
out food items to be consumed through the day like for breakfast — milk, egg,
fruit, oats or dalia, almonds, chia seeds and for lunch and dinner — chapatti,
dal, roti, dahi, green leafy vegetables, soya, paneer, chicken or fish.
Commenting on how
diabetes can be controlled by pregnant women during COVID-19, Dr Hema
Divakar, Consultant ObGyn and Medical Director of Divakars Specialty Hospital said,
“All pregnancies in India need to be tested for sugar on third and sixth
months. What is happening is that their sugar test is being done very late and
their level has already gone up which means we are forced to use insulin. As
long as you are in control of your sugar level through dietary exercise or
other means you are fine. We want to keep the insulin usage to minimal as it
adds to the daily trauma and frustration of monitoring that happens in
pregnancies. So early detection and using simpler means to control it rather
than insulin is the best way to go even in COVID-19 era.”
Dr Rajesh Kesari,
founder and director, Total Care Control who
moderated the event, highlighted the plight of diabetic patients during
COVID-19 and placed interesting and pertinent questions before the expert
panel.
New Delhi, 19 August 2020