About 12 percent of the people in Nellore district are suffering from diabetes, a recent survey by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has revealed.
Change in life style, food habits, growing stress, lack of physical exercise and jobs that allow little rest are found to be the main reasons behind the rise in diabetes.
The survey found that only 8 percent of the people in rural area are diabetic, while it is 17 percent in urban areas.
Nellore district Chemists and Druggists Association (NDCDA) president P Srinivasulu said about Rs 13.50 lakh diabetes drugs are sold daily in the district in 1,500 outlets.
Srinivasulu, who is a wholesale trader, said the sale of diabetesrelated medicines witnessed a steady rise since 2004, from Rs 2 lakh in 2004 to Rs 2.5 lakh now at his wholesale outlet.
“Now, diabetes has turned into a common disease,” he said.
District medical and health officials said as many as 25,000 diabetics undergo treatment at various hospitals in the district on an average daily, including 18 diabetic clinics and superspeciality hospitals like Naarayana, Bolleneni, Vijaya, Ramacnandra Reddy People’s Clinic etc.
Research to find a permanent solution for diabetes is going on, he said and suggested regular exercise for at least 40 minutes every day to maintain appropriate sugar levels in the body.