Number of diabetics to reach 300 million in 2020
Diabetes mellitus is becoming an epidemic, says Armenian chief endocrinologist Edward Toromonyan.
If in 2000 there were over 100 million diabetics in the world, in 2020 their number is expected to reach 300 million. There are about 40 000 patients in Armenia.
Though the reasons for diabetes mellitus are still unknown, doctors enumerate a few of factors accelerating its development. Among them, they point out heredity. Children of infected parents are more likely to contract diabetes. The chances lessen, if only one of the parents is a diabetic. Doctors argue that hereditary factors can become effective only when certain other environmental factors like obesity, faulty dietary habits and inadequate physical exertion are at work.
According to the chief endocrinologist, diabetics get insulin; otherwise, they will die of the illness. Annually, about one million dollars is spent on medicine.
Edward Toromonyan says diabetics can eat fruit though in limited quantities. For example, they can eat 2-3 apricots, 2-3 green apples and cherry depending on the amount of glucose in the fruit.
The endocrinologist advises eating rye bread and lavash- traditional Armenian bread as they do not decompose in the organise easily and are easily digestible.
