Nonagenarians give a sweet message on managing diabetes

  • | Monday | 24th September, 2018

The 92-year-old former physical director was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 56. It is a disorder, and one can have a long and healthy life despite diabetes,” V. Mohan, chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC), said. Aged 98 years now, he was diagnosed with diabetes nearly 55 years ago, Dr. Mohan said. Ms. Krishnamurthy, who found she was a diabetic at the age of 70, has a simple take-home message for the young. Dr. V. Mohan, right, presenting the 'Victory Over Diabetes Award' to S.V.

Dr. V. Mohan, right, presenting the 'Victory Over Diabetes Award' to S.V. Chittibabu, second from right, and P. Sabhanayagam. | Photo Credit: K.V. Srinivasan more-in 90-year-old Akkamma Krishnamurthy does not want to wait for the lift. She quickly takes a flight of stairs down from the second floor of a building. That she is a diabetic does not seem to deter her. Like her, age has not prevented C. Ramadoss from going on his regular walks. The 92-year-old former physical director was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 56. For him, walking for 1.5 to two km is just a walk in the park. In India, diabetes is common among the elderly. But an active lifestyle has helped many of them, including nonagenarians. ‘Only a disorder’ “Many persons aged 90 and above are very fit despite decades of diabetes. This sends a loud and clear message that diabetes is not a disease. It is a disorder, and one can have a long and healthy life despite diabetes,” V. Mohan, chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC), said. The centre, on Friday, felicitated some of the nonagenarians with diabetes. A study carried out nearly two years ago among those aged above 40 years in Chennai showed that 53% of those aged 65 and above were diabetic. Another 20% had pre-diabetes, he added. “In fact, we have 333 diabetic patients who are above 90 years. Some of them are 95 years and above, and some have over 55 years duration of the disorder,” he noted. Take S.V. Chittibabu, former vice chairman of Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education. Aged 98 years now, he was diagnosed with diabetes nearly 55 years ago, Dr. Mohan said. “I have adhered to treatment in spite of being tempted to take sweets. I have shunned them. I have had no complications,” Mr. Chittibabu said. Ms. Krishnamurthy, who found she was a diabetic at the age of 70, has a simple take-home message for the young. “Eat on time. Maintain a proper diet and exercise. Above all, keep your mind calm and do not get stressed.” Mr. Ramadoss, who was the physical director for various government colleges in the city, pointed out that physical educators helped in preventing diseases. “It is important for the young to exercise and maintain good health,” he said. R.M. Anjana, managing director of DMDSC was present. P. Sabhanayagam, former chief secretary of Government of Tamil Nadu, was felicitated.

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