Diabetes Hospitalizes More Young Adults
Nov. 28, 2007 -- Diabetes is causing more young adults to be hospitalized than in past generations, new diabetes research shows.
A new study charts a 38% spike in diabetes-related hospitalizations from 1993 to 2004 among people younger than 30.
Young adults in their 20s accounted for that trend. Diabetes hospitalizations held steady for kids and teens during the years studied.
The trend may be just beginning, note the University of Michigan's Joyce Lee, MD, MPH, and colleagues.
They write that they have "great concern" about rising childhood obesity, which may lead to more cases of type 2 diabetes -- and more diabetes hospitalizations -- in tomorrow's young adults.
Lee's team also discovered that the rise in diabetes hospitalizations was steeper for women than for men.
Women's diabetes hospitalizations soared by 42%, compared with a 29% increase for men. The reason for that pattern isn't clear.
Data came from a national database of hospital discharge records.
Those diabetes hospitalization statistics don't separate out cases related to type 1 or type 2 diabetes. They also don't include anyone treated on an outpatient basis for diabetes.
The study appears in December's edition of Diabetes Care.
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
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