Doctors Say Diabetes Is On The Rise In The Younger Population

Although anyone can have diabetes, it is now impacting people in an age group that never used to give diabetes a second thought.

As diabetes is on the rise, it is affecting younger people more now than ever before.

According to WebMD, rates of diabetes among young people in the United States rose significantly from 2001 to 2017. In people age 19 years or younger, rates of type 1 and type 2 diabetes increased 45.1% and 95.3% respectively.

Due to this, doctors are now encouraging people to get screened closer to 35 years old rather than 40, especially those who are overweight or have a BMI over 25 or 30.

Dr. Mary Vouyiouklis Kellis from the Cleveland Clinic explains how serious the consequences are.

“[Diabetes] is the leading cause of blindness, it can cause bleeding behind the eyes,” she told CBS Pittsburgh. “It can affect kidney function, it can affect the nerves and cause nerve damage. It can cause erectile dysfunction. It can even affect mental health and mood. So it’s very important that we address this as soon as we know that someone has this disease.”

If you catch it early enough, it can help prevent complications from getting worse, and may even be reversible.

Not only can you be screened for diabetes, but you can also find out if you have pre-diabetes with a blood test. Treatment may require medication, but Dr. Kellis says lifestyle changes will also be required.

Speaking with a nutritionist, exercising more, losing weight, reducing refined sugars, bread, and pasta, as well as eliminating sugary beverages and desserts, are just a few of many lifestyle changes that may be needed.

Dr. Kellis recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week, which can include a simple walk, or activities such as yoga or cycling.

Learn more in the video below: