Diabetes care today goes beyond prescribing medicines or simply monitoring blood sugar levels. Effective management requires a comprehensive approach that helps patients understand their condition and adopt sustainable lifestyle changes. In India, where diabetes cases are rising due to urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary changes, specialised centres play an important role in helping individuals manage the condition and prevent complications.
At the centre of this effort is Jeevanrekha Diabetes Care Centre, which focuses on delivering structured and patient-centred diabetes care by combining medical expertise, advanced monitoring, and lifestyle guidance. Under the medical leadership of Dr. Mahesh Kharche, a physician and diabetologist specialising in diabetes care and metabolic disorders, the centre aims to support patients at every stage of their journey.
Let’s look at how Jeevanrekha Diabetes Care Centre is strengthening diabetes management through comprehensive and patient-focused care.
Dedicated Expertise in Diabetes Care
Dr. Mahesh is a dedicated physician and diabetologist specialising in comprehensive diabetes care and metabolic disorders at Jeevanrekha Diabetic Care Centre, Vishrantwadi, Yerwada, Pune. His primary role is to provide expert, evidence-based, and personalised care for individuals living with Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
His approach focuses on treating the whole person, not just blood sugar levels, with the goal of preventing complications and improving the quality of life for patients. Through consistent clinical practice and patient engagement, the centre has developed a structured approach that prioritises long-term diabetes management and overall well-being.
A Trusted Diabetes Care Centre
Jeevanrekha Diabetes Care Centre is trusted in India for its more than 26 years of specialised expertise, comprehensive “under one roof” care (eye, foot, kidney), and advanced research-driven treatment. Dr. Mahesh explains that the centre offers personalised care, including patient education, counselling, home services, and a special focus on preventing complications of diabetes through advanced diagnostics.
The centre provides comprehensive care through end-to-end services, including diabetes foot care, eye care, kidney care, diet and nutrition counselling. Personalised treatment plans are an important part of the centre’s approach. Care is customised based on individual medical history, lifestyle, and specific needs.
The centre also places strong emphasis on patient education and support. Patients are educated about managing diet, insulin, exercise, and emotional well-being. Community outreach is another important aspect. Regular free or affordable health camps and awareness programs help reach a wider population and create awareness about diabetes prevention and management.
Understanding the Rise of Diabetes in India
India has witnessed a rapid increase in diabetes cases over the past few decades. Several factors contribute to this growing health challenge, including rapid urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, and a dietary shift towards high-calorie processed foods. These changes have led to a rising prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders.
Genetic predisposition also plays a significant role. Many individuals in India have a strong tendency toward insulin resistance and early-onset metabolic issues, making them particularly vulnerable to diabetes.
Environmental factors such as pollution, high stress levels, poor sleep, addiction to nicotine and alcohol also contribute to metabolic dysfunction and the increasing prevalence of diabetes.
Personalized Approach to Diabetes Management
At Jeevanrekha Diabetes Care Centre, diabetes management is approached through a patient-centered model that focuses on tailoring treatment to individual needs. Dr. Mahesh explains that this approach focuses on customised medication, lifestyle modifications, and advanced monitoring technologies to ensure optimal health outcomes.
A multidisciplinary team supports this personalised care structure. The centre has an integrated team of doctors, including diabetologists, nephrologists, ophthalmologists, psychiatrists, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, and pharmacists. Individual glycemic targets are set for each patient. HbA1c targets are determined based on age, duration of diabetes, comorbidities, and risk of hypoglycemia.
The centre also utilises advanced monitoring technology such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and smart devices. These tools allow real-time data sharing and enable doctors to adjust treatment plans based on daily fluctuations in glucose levels. Self-management education is also emphasised, where patients are encouraged to set behavioural goals related to diet, exercise, and daily routines.
Treatment Methods and Facilities
Effective diabetes management at the centre involves a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach focusing on personalised care to maintain healthy blood glucose levels and prevent complications.
Medical nutrition therapy forms a key component of treatment, with personalised meal planning designed by dieticians. These plans focus on balanced carbohydrate intake along with adequate protein and healthy fats, emphasising high-fibre whole foods. Patients are also guided through tailored exercise regimes that improve insulin sensitivity and enhance glucose metabolism.
Medication options are selected based on individual requirements and may include oral medications such as metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and sulfonylureas. Injectable insulin therapies, short-acting, rapid-acting, and long-acting, are used when necessary, along with GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide or liraglutide.
Diabetes education is another crucial element of treatment. Patients receive guidance on insulin administration, carbohydrate counting, and recognising and managing hypoglycaemia. Weight management programmes are also provided, aiming for at least a 10 percent reduction in body weight to improve metabolic control.
The centre offers a range of advanced diagnostic and monitoring facilities, including continuous glucose monitoring, in-house HbA1c testing, blood pressure monitoring, lipid profile testing, and kidney function evaluation. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for 24 hours is available to assess cardiovascular health more accurately. Screening for diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy is also conducted to detect complications at an early stage.
Patient support services further strengthen the care process. Registered dietitian consultations, diabetes education programmes, foot care and podiatry services, and telehealth consultations allow patients to receive regular guidance and monitoring even from remote locations.
Importance of Lifestyle Changes
“Lifestyle changes remain one of the most powerful tools for controlling and preventing diabetes,” Dr. Mahesh emphasises. Research shows that consistent improvements in diet, exercise, and weight management can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than 50 to 60 percent.
Maintaining a healthy weight plays a significant role in prevention. Even a modest reduction of 5 to 7 percent of body weight can significantly delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is equally important, with at least 40 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity recommended each day to improve insulin sensitivity.
Dietary habits also influence long-term health outcomes. A healthy, calorie-controlled diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains supports stable blood glucose levels and overall metabolic health. Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, and reducing sedentary behaviour further lowers the risk of developing diabetes and related complications.
Common Mistakes Patients Make
Patients with diabetes often make several common mistakes in managing their condition. These include skipping or missing medication timings, neglecting to monitor blood sugar regularly, following a poor diet, and leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Other critical errors include skipping meals, neglecting foot care, ignoring mental health, and improper insulin storage. “Skipping meals can cause blood sugar dips and spikes, which can negatively affect diabetes control,” Dr. Mahesh notes. Similarly, storing insulin in temperatures that are too hot or too cold can affect its effectiveness. Skipping doses, taking them incorrectly, or self-medicating can also lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels and make diabetes management more difficult.
Addressing these issues through education and consistent follow-up is essential for maintaining stable blood sugar levels and preventing complications.
Encouraging Prevention and Awareness
Dr. Mahesh advises that people living with or at risk of Diabetes should maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition, regular exercise, actionable lifestyle modification, and de-addiction of alcohol and tobacco.
Nutrition should focus on whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and minimise processed foods and sugary beverages, while utilising “the plate method” (half non-starchy vegetables, quarter protein, quarter complex carbs). Physical activity should include at least 30-40 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking and breaking up long periods of sitting every hour. Weight management is also important, as losing 5-7% of body weight can significantly prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
He also highlights the importance of regularly monitoring blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, kidney function tests, and HbA1c. Support and mental health should not be ignored, and people should avoid the mental stress through mindfulness and exercise, and seek support for the emotional challenges of Diabetes.
For prediabetic patients, focusing on consistent lifestyle habits with diet control can potentially reverse the condition. Avoid smoking and alcohol intake. Regular foot care, eye care, and kidney care are essential for patients, and regular health check-ups with a diabetologist are essential.
