Shocking health alert: 1 in 2 people now have high blood sugar, study reveals

The report published by online PharmEasy, a digital healthcare platform, showed there is a significant number of people with high blood sugar across all age groups in the country.

"There is a sharp rise in the number of high blood glucose reports from 30 years of age," PharmEasy said.

The report showed 51.9% of men and 45.43% of women who tested had high blood sugar.

Among users who retested within six months, 22% showed improvement, returning to normal sugar levels. This highlights the crucial role of regular monitoring in managing diabetes effectively.

More than 90% of reports with high blood sugar also showed abnormality in one or the other parameters for liver, lipid, heart or thyroid issues.

This highlights the need for regular testing, not just for blood sugar levels but also for overall body parameters.

The study said over 50% of people with diabetes in India are undiagnosed or unaware of their condition.

"HbA1c test helps us understand a person's average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months, while fasting blood sugar gives us a picture of 1 day. Many patients maintain their diet and adhere well to their medicines on the day of testing; hence, fasting sugars are normal in reports, but HbA1c provides a clearer insight. For everyone with diabetes or prediabetes, multiple tests are recommended, including fasting blood sugar, post-meal blood sugar, and HbA1c, which are used together to diagnose and treat high blood sugar. Each test has its own importance; patients should keep a record of their ongoing medicines and blood sugar readings," Dr. Arpit Verma, was quoted as saying by PharmEasy website.

Common symptoms

Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst (polydipsia) and frequent urination (polyuria), often causing discomfort and disturbed sleep.

Many people also experience extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and blurred vision.

Wounds or cuts may take longer to heal, and there can be tingling or numbness in the hands and feet due to nerve involvement. In some cases, excessive hunger (polyphagia) persists even after eating, as the body struggles to regulate blood sugar effectively.