Express News Service
BENGALURU: Health experts and virologists warn that a diabetes epidemic is set to sweep the country soon, if there is no plan on meticulously eradicating Covid- 19. They say that so far, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes were mostly due to overnutrition and sedentary lifestyle, but now, several studies have shown that patients hospitalised with Covid-19 are newly diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It’s a trend medical experts are watching closely.
“It is known that Covid has the ability to worsen existing diabetes, but we are seeing that the virus is also triggering newonset diabetes,” said renowned virologist Dr John Jacob, Christian Medical College, Vellore. He said the virus damages certain cells known as beta cells in the pancreas. They are found within another kind of cell, known as islet cell. The destruction of beta cells prevents the body from making insulin, triggering hyperglycemia.