BY VEENA RAO

On the 1st Tuesday of each month, Dr. Narendra K. Gupta* and his team of qualified and experienced physicians meet a group of patients in an informal setting to educate, empower and answer questions. The purpose of The Diabetes Support Group at the Diabetes & Hypertension Center is simple- to empower diabetes patients with tools to manage the disease better and transform from being victim to victor. The group is a supportive environment that integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual elements to create wellness, and is open to the public free of charge.

Dr. Gupta, who calls himself the “coach with the game plan”, says the tools include proper diet, understanding medicines, exercise and dispelling of myths. The group invites specialists like dieticians, cardiologists and ophthalmologists to speak to the group.

“We also listen to our members’ concerns, and encourage people who have been successful to share their inspiring stories with other members,” says Dr. Gupta. “We deal with concerns like how to exercise, or how much of exercise is good, or when to eat, or how to read labels on food products. We have a dietician who cooks a healthy recipe each time.”

Dr. Gupta is animated as he talks about the growing incidences of type 2 diabetes in South Asia. “Diabetes is becoming a pandemic not only in the US, but also in India and China,” he says. The Terrible Quartet (Diabetes, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol), and Obesity) is the price we pay for our changing lifestyles. Other South Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are only ten or 15 years behind in this regard.”

He attributes the rise in Type 2 Diabetes amongst Indians and other South Asians to high insulin resistance. “For centuries, we have had the thrifty gene- a fuel efficient metabolism, that helped us survive in the toughest of circumstances. Now we have started consuming more, but do not get the same amount of exercise. This has led to the development of metabolic syndrome in many.”

People with the metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

On the positive side, says Dr. Gupta, it is possible to diagnose pre-diabetes 10 years before Type 2 diabetes manifests itself in the body, and take preventive measures through lifestyle changes.

“Ultimately, education is the key to overcoming the terrible quartet,” he says. His diabetes support group aims to do just that.

At another level, the group is also a social networking group where people with similar problems have an opportunity to mingle and befriend each other. “A lot of people live isolated lives, and our group helps alleviate loneliness,” says Dr. Gupta.

*Narendra K. Gupta, MD, FRCP is board certified as a Fellow with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is also an Assistant Professor with the Medical College of Ohio. He actively participates in the latest research in Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, and Obesity. He has been recognized continuously since 1999 by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a provider with distinction for outstanding diabetes care. He has been recognized continuously since 1999 by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a provider with distinction for outstanding diabetes care.