Diabetes of getting younger...The later the treatment, the higher the risk of complications
Jan 12, 2025
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According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of diabetics in 2023 was 3,837,71, up about 20% from 3,213,412 in 2019. Looking at 'Diabetes Fact Sheet 2024' published by the Korean Diabetes Association, there are about 300,000 young diabetics in their 20s and 30s, and only 43% of them are aware of diabetes, indicating that younger people are less interested in disease.
"The number of young adults with type 2 diabetes is increasing recently, and it is deeply related to the increase in the obese population," said Lee Hae-ri, an endocrine specialist at H Plus Yangji Hospital. "This is because obesity is a major cause of insulin resistance, where insulin does not work well where our body needs it."
◇Easy to leave because there are no special symptoms in the early stages...Two to three times the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that lacks insulin secretion or does not function normally. Diabetes is diagnosed if random blood sugar is more than 200mg/㎗, fasting blood sugar is more than 126mg/㎗, blood sugar is more than 200mg/㎗, and glycated hemoglobin levels are more than 6.5%. It is divided into type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and most adults have a high rate of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, in which insulin function is low and cells cannot burn glucose effectively. The biggest contributor to diabetes among young people is the rise of the obese population due to eating habits such as spicy and salty irritating foods and high-calorie and high-fat foods. It also cites environmental factors such as lack of exercise, academic and workplace stress, and irregular sleep as the cause.
The typical symptoms of diabetes are polyuria and polyphonic 'triple', drinking a lot of water, urinating a lot, and eating a lot. This is because as glucose escapes from the urine, water is lost together, and the body lacks moisture, causing severe thirst, and weight loss even though eating well. In addition to this, the eyes are dim, the hands and feet are numb, and vaginosis may occur in women. The problem is that in the early stages when blood sugar is not high, it is often left unattended because no special symptoms are felt.
As diabetes progresses, the probability of complications increases, and diabetics have two to three times higher risk of developing blood vessel diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke compared to the general population, and 50% of patients who perform dialysis for chronic kidney failure in Korea are known to be caused by diabetes. In addition, complications such as foot necrosis, retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy may appear throughout the body, and once it occurs, it is difficult to treat and in severe cases, it can lead to death.
◇'Young' Only one out of three diabetics treated...Delayed treatment increases the risk of complications
According to 'Diabetes Fact Sheet 2024', 35% of 43% of young diabetics are being treated with diabetes drugs. The youth diabetes control rate was based on glycated hemoglobin 6.5%, with only 3 out of 10 reaching the glycemic control target, and the recognition rate and treatment rate were very low, especially in their 20s.
Diabetes often has few initial symptoms and is found after some progression, so for younger people, the longer the duration of treatment is, so there is a high risk of complications. In addition, younger people often overconfident their health and overlook the risk of disease, so it is necessary to raise awareness of the disease as the time to visit the hospital is delayed.
To prevent diabetes, weight management should be a priority. It is recommended to avoid foods and drinks high in sugar and to eat a moderate amount of meals regularly without overeating. In addition, 30 minutes to an hour after eating, regular exercise facilitates metabolic functions, and lack of sleep also causes obesity, so it is important to get enough sleep.
Lee Hae-ri, a specialist, said "It is necessary to recognize that diabetes can occur even at a young age and to manage diet and lifestyle to prevent obesity through health management."It is important to detect early through periodic health checkups and to establish and steadily implement a treatment plan that suits you with medical staff," he advised.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
