There are many misconceptions about insulin therapy among the diabetic patients but the treatment aims to replicate the normal physiological insulin response, said Dow University’s National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE) Director Prof M Zaman Shaikh on Thursday.
He added that insulin is essential not only for the health of diabetic patients, but also needed to save the lives of persons afflicted with type 1 diabetes. In an effort to raise awareness among the masses on diabetes and insulin therapy, the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) NIDE had organised a seminar titled ‘Insulin Therapy’ at the DUHS Ojha Campus on Thursday.
College of Physicians Registrar Prof Ghulam Asghar Channa was the chief guest on the occasion, while the scientific session was addressed by renowned diabetologists and endocrinologists, including NIDE Director Prof M Zaman Shaikh and Prof Muhammad Masroor. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Shaikh said that insulin is a hormone secreted by beta cell in the pancreas in response to glucose or other stimuli such as amino acids. Insulin increases glucose uptake particularly in muscle, live and adipose tissue.
Highlighting new advancements in insulin therapy, Shaikh said that new needles being used nowadays to inject insulin are virtually painless but much awareness is needed for proper and accurate use of insulin. Many insulin analogues are also available in the market that control blood sugar level after diet and recent research suggests that in the near future, insulin could be taken in the form of tablets, capsules, spray and inhalers, said Shaikh.
He further said that according to the figures of International Diabetes Federation, worldwide 285 million people are affected with diabetes and it is estimated that the figure will reach 438.4 million by the year 2030 (increase of about 54%). Talking about the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region which also includes Pakistan, the NIDE director said the number of people living with diabetes mellitus is 26.4 million and the forecast for 2030 is 51.7 million (an increase of 94%).
“The situation is alarming in Pakistan and with a current diabetic population of 7.1 million, we rank 7th in the world in terms of having the largest number of people with diabetes. With an estimated prevalence of 7.6% at present, it is estimated that by 2030, we will have the 4th largest diabetic population in the world (13.8 million),” said Shaikh. Educating the audience on diabetes control, Prof Masroor underscored the part played by insulin phobia in the usage of insulin.
“Insulin is an effective medication for diabetic patients as compared to oral medicines, but most patients have an irrational fear in its usage,” he added. DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Masood Hameed Khan said the proper control of diabetes can prevent or delay long-term complications arising from the disease. “Healthcare professionals can play a significant role in preventing the disease from turning a patient’s life miserable,” he said.
He stressed upon the need for concerted and coordinated efforts towards preventing diabetes and minimising its consequences at patient, community and government levels. The scientific lectures were followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which Prof Shaikh, Prof Masroor and Dr Ifitkhar Ahmed discussed the management of insulin therapy.
My son aged 12 years is diabetic patient. He takes insulin daily. At morning 30 from Regular and 22 from N, and at evening 24 R & 20 N. his growth is ok and normal. Little weak in studies. His physique is normal. Hi s diabeties increases after every few months.
Comments are closed.