Sharp Rise in Diabetes Among People Under 30
Early Awareness and Management Can Prevent Complications
The Sweet Temptation Hidden in a Cup of Iced Americano... Your Pancreas Is Screaming Right Now!
November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, jointly established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to raise awareness about the global rise in diabetes.
Following this, the United Nations (UN) urged governments worldwide to implement policies for diabetes prevention, management and treatment, the development of sustainable healthcare systems, and nationwide strategies, turning it into an international campaign.
According to statistics released last year by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of diabetes patients increased by 18.6% (an average annual increase of 4.4%) and medical expenses rose by 25.7% (an average annual increase of 5.9%) over the five years from 2019 to 2023.
By gender, the increase was higher among men than women. In 2023, there were 2,146,381 male diabetes patients and 1,682,301 female patients. More than 15 out of every 100 people aged 60 and older received treatment for diabetes, and the proportion of patients in their 20s and younger rose sharply.
Nearly 60% of diabetes patients were aged 60 or older, and among those in their 20s, the number increased by 33.1% over five years (an average annual increase of 7.4%), showing the largest increase except for those in their 80s.
In addition, a study published in August by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s National Institute of Health in an international journal-the first of its kind in Korea-analyzed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of diabetes patients under 30 over the past 13 years (2008-2021). The findings showed that type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing among adolescents and young adults worldwide.
The incidence rate of type 2 diabetes rose from 27.6 per 100,000 people to 60.5 per 100,000, a 2.2-fold increase, while the prevalence rate surged nearly fourfold, from 73.3 to 270.4 per 100,000 people.
Notably, compared to 2008, the incidence rate in 2021 increased the most for type 1 diabetes among infants and toddlers (ages 0-5), and for type 2 diabetes among teenagers (ages 13-18), demonstrating that diabetes is no longer just a chronic disease of the elderly.
Diabetes is a disease in which the hormone insulin, secreted by the pancreas, is either insufficient or does not function properly in the body, preventing blood sugar from being used as energy and causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream. Our bodies require insulin from the pancreas to use glucose for energy, and when this process is impaired, diabetes develops.
Diabetes is classified into type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also known as "juvenile diabetes," occurs when the body produces little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by reduced insulin production or decreased insulin function, making it difficult for cells to effectively metabolize glucose.
For type 2 diabetes, environmental factors such as the westernization of diet, lack of exercise, and stress play a significant role, but defects in certain genes can also cause diabetes.
The main symptoms of diabetes are excessive thirst, excessive hunger, and frequent urination. As insulin function declines, the body tries to excrete excess glucose through urine, leading to frequent urination. The loss of glucose and fluids triggers hunger and thirst as the body attempts to replenish them.
The causes of diabetes can be broadly divided into genetic and environmental factors. If both parents have diabetes, the probability that their child will develop diabetes is about 30%. If only one parent has diabetes, the probability is about 15%. Therefore, if there is a family history of diabetes, it is important to pay special attention to the risk and undergo regular checkups.
In addition to genetic factors, environmental factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and stress can cause diabetes. Other risk factors include gestational diabetes during pregnancy, drug-induced diabetes in patients taking medications for chronic bronchial asthma or skin diseases, and diabetes following gastrectomy or pancreatectomy due to stomach or pancreatic disease.
Diabetes is usually diagnosed through a simple blood test at the hospital after fasting for more than eight hours. Diabetes is diagnosed if the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is 6.5% or higher, fasting blood glucose is 126 mg/dL or higher, blood glucose two hours after an oral glucose tolerance test is 200 mg/dL or higher, or if there are classic hyperglycemic symptoms and a random blood glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher.
Once diagnosed, patients should undergo additional tests for complications, such as urine protein test, kidney function test, cholesterol test, HbA1c test, and blood pressure measurement.
The most critical issue for diabetes patients is complications. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness, and kidney dysfunction may require dialysis. Other risks include diabetic foot disease, persistent numbness and pain in various parts of the body due to neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease.
Some patients may die from these complications. Research indicates that diabetes at least doubles the risk of death.
There is currently no cure for diabetes. Therefore, consistent management and prevention are crucial. To maintain normal blood sugar levels, it is essential to improve dietary habits and control body weight. Obesity is the most significant environmental factor for diabetes, so regular exercise and a healthy diet to maintain an appropriate weight are important. If diet and exercise alone are insufficient, medication may be required. In particular, type 1 diabetes always requires insulin therapy, and both oral and injectable medications are used.
Kim Kyunghoon, Director of the Hypertension and Diabetes Center at Ulsan Elijah Hospital (internal medicine specialist), stated, "Most people with diabetes have no noticeable symptoms for about 10 years after onset, and by the time symptoms appear and a diagnosis is made, complications may have already begun. Although the prevalence of diabetes among children, adolescents, and young adults under 30 continues to rise, some young people neglect their health because they feel young, only to visit the hospital late when complications have already developed. This calls for special attention."
He also advised, "If you have a family history or are in a high-risk group for diabetes, it is best to check your blood sugar every 3-6 months, even if your current levels are normal. Even if diabetes is progressing, proper management can fully prevent complications. In addition to improving habits such as avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and maintaining a regular lifestyle, managing stress is also an effective way to prevent diabetes and protect your health."
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