According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Dinh Tung, Director of Duc Giang General Hospital in Hanoi, diabetes is increasingly affecting younger age groups. While the disease was once more common in people over 40, it is now frequently diagnosed in those aged 20–30, and even in teenagers.

The hospital currently manages around 6,000 diabetes patients, with the condition accounting for 50–60% of daily consultations, equivalent to 700–900 cases per day.

Lifestyle habits driving early disease

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Associate Professor, Dr Do Dinh Tung. Photo: Hai Anh.

Experts point to unhealthy habits as the primary cause. Many young people are becoming overweight or obese due to frequent consumption of fast food, lack of physical activity and prolonged screen time.

Irregular sleep patterns, stress and excessive use of electronic devices further disrupt metabolic health, significantly increasing the risk of diabetes and related conditions.

Silent progression to kidney failure

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai from Hospital 19-8 noted that 30–40% of diabetes patients develop kidney complications, making it the leading cause of chronic kidney failure worldwide.

However, many young patients underestimate the disease. They often skip routine check-ups, focusing only on blood sugar levels while ignoring serious complications such as kidney damage.

A recent case involved a 45-year-old man who had lived with diabetes for more than a decade without regular monitoring. Despite feeling “normal,” he later developed fatigue and mild swelling, prompting a hospital visit.

Tests revealed severe kidney impairment and prolonged proteinuria. He was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure and now requires lifelong dialysis.

Doctors emphasized that kidney damage often progresses silently over many years, with few noticeable symptoms in early stages. By the time signs such as swelling, foamy urine, frequent urination at night or fatigue appear, kidney function is usually already significantly reduced.

Early screening key to prevention

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A young patient undergoes dialysis. Photo: VNN.

Specialists stress that early detection is critical to preserving kidney function. People with diabetes should undergo kidney function tests at least once or twice a year, including urine tests (albumin) and blood tests (creatinine, eGFR).

In addition, patients are advised to maintain good blood sugar control, manage blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce salt intake and avoid self-medicating, especially with long-term painkillers.

“Early detection means there is still a chance to protect the kidneys,” Dr. Hai emphasized.

Health experts warn that without changes in lifestyle and greater awareness, more young people may face irreversible complications and lifelong treatment in the future.

N. Huyen