×
Choose Speciality

EXPLORE!

LOGIN

Paradigm Shift in Diabetes

  1028 Views

Dr Sundeep Ruder, South Africa    26 November 2018

  1. Scientific and technological advances continue to expand in the field of diabetes. Yet, the percentage of patients achieving a target HbA1c is unchanged and diabetes prevalence continues to increase and place a burden of cost and care on communities and nations.
  2. Developing countries are adversely affected and diabetes is no longer considered an epidemic of western countries only. Globalization, with its clearly modifiable risk factors, appears to be a driving force behind this epidemic.
  3. Human behavior is central to these risk factors leading to disease. Human desire and action are central to the unfolding of such an epidemic.
  4. Diabetes self-monitoring and education (DSME) is thus an essential part of treating diabetes, to help modify behavior and improve adherence. Behavior modification is not sustained through an incentivized approach.
  5. While drugs and technology have an effect on the body, the only way to curb the unregulated desires of the mind is through the development of the intellect (the ability to reason, judge, discern, think and use logic). The actions which follow are more conducive to improving diabetes care and risk of complications. The way to develop critical thinking (intellect) in diabetes is through a process of education that uses questioning and discussion.
  6. Patients will require the correct tools to maintain intellectual growth. The socioeconomic environment needs to be addressed. Advertising and marketing of junk foods needs regulation. Taxes on sugary beverages to help reduce consumption are a useful modality. Thus, the ‘satsang’ (good environment) improves and aids in people making better choices.
  7. Further, intellectual development can be enhanced by regular contact with a philosophical education on the art of living. For this, ancient books such as the Bhagavad Gita, Bhaja Govindam (Adi Shankaracharya) or more modern, contemporary translations such as A. Parthasarathy’s “Governing Business and Relationships’’ and “Vedanta Treatise” outline the eternal laws of life.
  8. A collective academic effort needs to be made to marry science and philosophy in the approach to diabetes. The idea would be to take the eternal philosophical truths of right living laid out in the scriptures of India and organize it into a practical, contemporary and meaningful body of knowledge that a modern mind would be receptive to. This would be true diabetes education.

To comment on this article,
create a free account.

Sign Up to instantly get access to 10000+ Articles & 1000+ Cases

Already registered?

Login Now

Most Popular Articles

News and Updates

eMediNexus provides latest updates on medical news, medical case studies from India. In-depth medical case studies and research designed for doctors and healthcare professionals.