Why diabetes is different for women


 HEALTH
Why diabetes is different for women


Diabetes is now near epidemic in India, with women among nearly half of those affected
Anuja*, 28, says that she has been on a “waiting list” for some years now as far as marriage is concerned. “Because I am a diabetic, only men with some serious life-threatening medical condition or diabetic men apply. Knowing my medical status, all the ‘healthy’ prospective grooms and their families factor in family life, pregnancy, ability to perform household chores, and the cost of treatment,” she says.
Six years after she first registered herself on a matrimonial website and lost all hope of finding a ‘normal groom’, she has now registered herself with a matrimonial service that focusses on bringing together people with diabetes.
Systemic discrimination
Anuja’s point is seconded by doctors too who notice a pattern of discrimination against diabetic women not only in terms of access to quality treatment but also in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
“Diabetes takes a toll on the eyes, heart and kidneys. In some cases, it has also been seen that diabetic women of marriageable age face difficulties in marriage as society fears her future family life, pregnancy, a future child’s health, the woman’s ability to perform household chores, and the cost of treatment,” says Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, gynaecologist, obstetrician and in vitro fertilization expert, Nurture IVF Centre, New Delhi.
Diabetes, which affects about 70 million people in India, is now a near epidemic, with women among nearly half of those who are affected. According to the U.S.-based National Institutes of Heath (NIH), close to a third of women with diabetes do not know they have the disease.
Importance of screening
Diabetes can increase the risk of developing other complications. Women with high body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and cholesterol are more at risk of developing diabetes.
Though the symptoms in women are similar to those in men, some of them are unique. These include vaginal yeast infections and thrush, polycystic ovarian syndrome, sexual dysfunction, and urinary tract infections, which can make the condition worse. A lack of support and adequate care can result in poor metabolic control, higher rates of complications, increased health-care costs, lost productivity, lower quality of life as well as increased risk of death.
“Understanding these can help in timely diagnosis and treatment. There is also a need to raise awareness about the fact that women living with diabetes can live a perfectly normal life with certain lifestyle changes and even be able to conceive and deliver a healthy child. It is imperative for women to get their blood sugar tested frequently, exercise regularly, and get healthy carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables to prevent the risk of diabetes,” says Sanjay Kalra, vice-president, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies.
There are other challenges too, related to reproductive health, that diabetic women face.
“Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are at higher risk of being diabetic. They have less oestrogen, and lower levels of oestrogen are associated with kidney disease. For women, what is dangerous is that diabetes can affect the unborn baby as well.
“Women with diabetes may face many problems, mentally and physically, which not only come from the disease alone but from society as well,” says Dr. Ajay Kumar Ajmani, senior consultant, endocrinology, BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi.
Gincy*, 34, who became a diabetic after her pregnancy, says, “It’s not just the disease itself. Your entire body and mind takes a toll. There is no coping mechanism in terms of support from family, friends and society.
“There is little awareness and almost no support groups for women or even prevention and control programmes that are tailored specifically for women. We are just left to deal with what ever comes our

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