Hello Diabetes

Dr. Sunil Gupta explained that Type 2 Diabetes is a multifactorial disorder, influenced by several interconnected factors such as genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and stress. He highlighted that even people who appear lean or fit can develop diabetes due to visceral fat—the hidden fat that accumulates around internal organs and disrupts metabolism. Dr. Gupta elaborated that...

In the All India Radio (Vividh Bharati) program, Dr. Sunil Gupta emphasized that effective diabetes management extends beyond medication and relies equally on mental peace, emotional balance, and a positive outlook—what he calls “glycemic happiness.” Stress, anxiety, and depression, he explained, can disrupt blood sugar control and heighten the risk of complications, making emotional well-being a...

Dr. Sunil Gupta began his address by extending warm greetings for Navratri and emphasized the importance of maintaining moderation and dietary discipline during festivals. He explained that “low blood sugar” (hypoglycemia) can be more dangerous in elderly individuals and that diabetes management goals should be personalized according to a person’s age and associated health conditions. He elaborate...

Dr. Sunil Gupta expressed concern over the growing incidence of diabetes in young Indians, noting that the unique “Indian phenotype” makes the population more prone to central obesity, insulin resistance, and early diabetes compared to Western countries. He explained that while diabetes was earlier common in people in their 50s–60s, it is now increasingly being seen in the 30s and 40s, even among...

Diabetologist Dr. Sunil Gupta emphasized that managing diabetes goes far beyond just taking medication. He introduced the concept of “glycemic happiness”—the combination of peace of mind and a positive outlook—as a crucial factor in effective blood sugar control. According to him, stress, anxiety, and depression can significantly disrupt glucose levels and increase the risk of diabetes-related com...

Diabetes management during pregnancy, nutrition, and breastfeeding. Maintaining proper blood sugar control is essential for women with pre-existing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, as well as those with gestational diabetes. Pre-conception counseling is important to ensure that HbA1c, fasting, and post-meal blood glucose levels are within safe limits, along with monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, a...

Diabetes is a metabolic risk which weakens immunity, making patients more susceptible to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, and increasing the severity of illnesses like what we have seen during COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to control blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight to strengthen the body’s defense system. Patients should pay attention to medication timing, blood g...

In this interview guidance was shared on diabetes-related complications and their prevention. It was explained that diabetes weakens the immune system, making patients more vulnerable to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, which can become severe. COVID-19 was highlighted as a major example of this risk. It was emphasized that regular exercise, healthy diet, and maintaining control over blood...

At the beginning of the program, Dr. Sunil Gupta explained that the complications of diabetes are of two types: acute complications, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and diabetic ketoacidosis especially in Type 1DM, both of which can cause sudden and immediate danger. Chronic complications develop slowly over time and affect the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain, and nerves. Hypoglycemia occurs wh...

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar properly. There are different types of diabetes, each with unique causes and treatment needs. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children or young people when the pancreas stops producing insulin completely, making lifelong insulin injections necessary. Type 2 diabetes, more common in adults but increasingly seen in children, occ...

The relationship between diabetes and obesity was explained in simple terms, highlighting how excess weight leads to insulin resistance. As obesity increases, the effect of insulin in the body decreases. To compensate, the pancreatic beta cells have to work harder to maintain normal blood sugar. Over time, this constant strain on beta cells causes beta cell fatigue and eventual failure. Insulin is...

Obesity is one of the strongest risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Around 60–70% of people with diabetes are either obese or overweight. For Indians, even a BMI above 23 is considered overweight, above 25 obese, and above 30 morbidly obese. Excess body fat, especially inside the abdomen (visceral fat), increases insulin resistance, forcing the pancreas to work harder to maintain normal blood sugar....

When your body begins to lose its ability to respond to insulin effectively, this condition is known as insulin resistance. It places extra pressure on the beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for keeping blood sugar levels between 70 to 140 mg/dL. In a healthy individual, even after consuming something sweet—for example, mango juice—blood sugar gets automatically controlled through t...

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be more dangerous than hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), especially because it can lead to immediate and life-threatening situations. While high sugar levels over time can damage organs and increase the risk of complications, a sudden drop in glucose can impair brain function, cause unconsciousness, seizures, stroke and even be fatal if not treated promptly. This...

Finland ranks as the happiest country, while our happiness index has dropped. To be in the top ten, we need to improve significantly. This shift highlights the concept of glycemic happiness in diabetes, where the psychosocial aspects are often overlooked. Most diabetes awareness programs focus on molecular treatments, driven by commercial interests, with no "pill" for happiness. Diabetes managemen...

During extreme stress, the body releases counter-regulatory hormones like adrenaline, growth hormone, and cortisol, which raise blood sugar levels. While insulin lowers sugar, these hormones can counteract its effects. For instance, a person experiencing a heart attack may initially see a drop-in blood sugar, but it later stabilizes. Some may need insulin temporarily before managing diabetes throu...

Diabetes is a growing concern, particularly among younger individuals. It is a condition where the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or/and becomes resistant to insulin. Type 1 diabetes, is diagnosed in childhood and is now being seen in children which can be as young as at six months age. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes, which was traditionally observed in adults aged 50-70, is increa...

The beta cells of the pancreas are responsible for producing insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels. When these beta cells become damaged, insulin production declines, leading to impaired glucose metabolism. As a result, glucose, which is needed for energy, accumulates instead of being properly utilized by the liver, adipose tissue, and muscles. Without sufficient insulin,...

We Should concentrate on pregnancy, her healthy nutrition, dietary habits, dietary quality, biochemical parameters, and obesity; by focusing on these aspects, we can protect future generations from diabetes. Currently, if we prioritize fetal health, we have the potential to shield future generations from diabetes. Regarding type 2 diabetes, as you inquired, the initial phase of insulin release doe...

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating nutritious foods, and avoiding fast food are key to reducing the risk of diabetes. Currently, nearly one in four adults over 18 is living with diabetes. Women are especially vulnerable during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, making regular screening crucial. Consulting a doctor ensures tailored guidance for managing gestational diabetes effectively. Uncontrol...

Nervous system is responsible for multiple functions of our body. It is divided into peripheral nervous system (PNS) & central nervous system (CNS). The PNS has motor and sensory component, while the motor system consists of Autonomic (Involuntary) and somatic (Voluntary). Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls our urinary bladder functioning, which if affected can cause reduction of urinary blad...

Pre-diabetes marks the initial phase of diabetes. A fasting blood sugar level below 110 mg/dL is considered normal. If it ranges from 110 to 126 mg/dL, you are classified as pre-diabetic. The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) involves consuming 75 grams of glucose, followed by a blood sugar test two hours later. A result below 140 mg/dL is normal, while a range of 140 to 199 mg/dL indicates pre-d...

People with Diabetes are more prone to infections like pneumonia due to weakened immunity, which worsens with prolonged, unmanaged diabetes, especially with age. Vaccinations, such as the pneumococcal 13 vaccine followed by a booster with pneumococcal-23 after 1 year, are essential in reducing the risk of secondary infections, although they do not address allergies. Obesity significantly contribut...

Stress hormones are released immediately during challenging situations, making stress a significant yet subjective experience. These stress hormones increase insulin resistance & cause hyperglycemia unlike physical weight, stress cannot be quantified—it varies for everyone, making it a deeply personal phenomenon. Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to complications like early-onset cataracts, often...

The alarming trend shows that every 5th or 6th pregnant woman in India is diagnosed with diabetes, highlighting an urgent need for interventions and enhanced medical treatments. Approximately 24% of adults (Above 18yrs age) in India are affected by dysglycemia (Diabetes & Prediabetes) which, considering the adult population exceeding 90 crores, this indirectly suggests that nearly every 4th & 5th...