Earlier diabetes diagnosis results in higher risk for other life-threatening diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke

Even though Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was previously regarded as a disease that usually affected older individuals, the global epidemic of obesity has seen diagnoses soar among young adults, adolescents and even in young children.

According to a study, “the earlier a person is diagnosed with T2D, the higher their risk of death from heart disease and stroke.” However, it also surprisingly lowers their risk of death from cancer.

Diabetes rates are increasing considerably among younger adults aged 20 to 45 years old in almost all countries. While rates are also going up in adults older than 45, the rate isn’t the same as in younger adults.

The increase in the cases in younger adults implies that there is a steadily rising number of patients who have diabetes for a longer period in their lives.

The study, which was spearheaded by Professor Dianna Magliano and Professor Jonathan Shaw from Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, along with their colleagues, examined data from 743,709 Australians with T2D.

The participants were all registered on Australia’s National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) for a 15-year period from 1997 to 2011. All-cause mortality and mortality caused by cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and other causes were determined.

Average age at T2D diagnosis was 59 years, and overall 115,363 deaths occurred during the study period. The authors said that an earlier diagnosis of T2D, or a “longer duration of disease,” was linked to “a higher risk of all-cause mortality” that was mostly due to CVD mortality.

According to the data, for two people of the same age, the individual who was diagnosed 10 years prior (which meant a 10 years’ longer duration of diabetes) had a 20 percent to 30 percent increased risk of all-cause mortality and at least a 60 percent increased risk of CVD mortality. The effects were similar for both men and women.

The authors explained that the growing body of evidence proves that “earlier onset of type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of complications and comorbidities compared with later onset, and that the development and progression of complications might be more aggressive in those with earlier onset.”

The researchers added that increased clinical attention is crucial for individuals with earlier onset of T2D. Endeavors must center on the prompt optimization of a patient’s self-management skills and medical treatment can help avoid or minimize the onset of complications and comorbidities. (Related: HIGHER quality of life with LESS medication: A review of research reveals, again, that diet and exercise are BETTER THAN DRUGS at controlling type-2 diabetes.)

There is also a need to diagnose people who are at high risk of developing diabetes so they can immediately make lifestyle changes that will stop or delay the onset of diabetes.

Natural ways to prevent diabetes

If you’re looking for natural ways to prevent diabetes, try some of the tips below:

• Eat “real” food instead of processed food – Real food includes fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, nuts, and seeds. Consuming real food will minimize your intake of refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and trans fats which may cause unhealthy weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes.
• Exercise daily – Regular physical activity boosts tissue sensitivity to insulin and weight management.
• Get enough sleep – Poor-quality sleep and sleep deprivation may increase your risk for obesity and diabetes.
• Try mindfulness meditation to manage stress – The hormones cortisol, epinephrine, and glucagon increased when you are stressed and this increases blood glucose and antagonizes insulin.

You can learn more about diabetes and how to prevent it or manage its symptoms at DiabetesScienceNews.com.

Sources include:

ScienceDaily.com

EverydayHealth.com