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- Time to treat: age-related diseases are increasingly being diagnosed in young Russians
Time to treat: age-related diseases are increasingly being diagnosed in young Russians
Over the past five years, diseases that were previously considered characteristic of the elderly have become 20% more common in young people, Russian clinics told Izvestia. Doctors note that this category of patients is increasingly complaining about disorders of the vessels, veins, endocrine system and gastrointestinal tract. Among the reasons, experts cite a sedentary lifestyle, stress, lack of physical activity and eating habits.
How diseases have become "younger"
At the age of 16, Anna from Cherepovets developed varicose veins, she shared with Izvestia. His legs began to swell, his veins swelled, and it became more difficult to walk.
— At the age of 23, I had to have an operation. I saw how my mom was suffering, so I didn't want to face the same consequences. After the operation, the veins became invisible, I was glad, but after six years everything started all over again," the girl said.
Now Anna drinks a course of special medications twice a year and constantly wears compression stockings. This helps to contain the disease, but the veins are still partially visible. According to the girl, she anxiously observes how her 50-year-old mother has a similar disease.
— With age, my mother's veins began to swell and itch very much. Once she combed a patch of skin, and blood gushed from a vein. Now there is thin skin in this place and blood appears again with a strong touch. I don't want that for myself, so I try to follow the doctors' recommendations," the girl shared.
In addition, the doctors warned Anna about the high risk of blood clots. Her relative died of it a few years ago.
The girl also has stomach problems due to years of taking laxatives - she tried to lose weight, but eventually suffers from constipation. Already at the age of 20, she had the first signs of hemorrhoids, and when Anna was 28, the disease seriously worsened.
At the age of 24, Karina, a Muscovite (name changed), had her ribs and legs covered with vascular asterisks.
— They appeared unexpectedly. I always worry a lot, and stress has a negative effect on my health. The phlebologist does not see anything terrible yet, recommends removing them and drinking a course of medications at least once a year. Otherwise, there will be more vascular asterisks. However, removal is expensive, so I haven't decided on it yet," says the girl.
According to Russian clinics, young people are increasingly being diagnosed with varicose veins and hypertension. Previously, it was believed that such diseases are characteristic of the elderly, but over the past five years, according to the Family Doctor, their growth has been 20% in people under 45 years of age.
"The trend reflects not only an increase in morbidity, but also an increase in the medical literacy of the population: young people began to go to doctors earlier with symptoms that their grandmothers ignored," the clinic noted.
Who is diagnosed with varicose veins
The average age of detection of varicose veins has decreased from 50 to 35 years in recent years, the Family Doctor reported. According to Andrey Karpunin, the chief physician of the Be Healthy clinic on Sushchevsky Val, the disease is often diagnosed even in 25-year-olds. Olimi Shirinbek, a phlebologist and surgeon at the SM Clinic, also often encounters young patients, both men and women.
— Usually we are talking about the initial manifestations of the disease, when vascular asterisks appear, complaints of heaviness in the legs, swelling, fatigue by the end of the day. The main manifestation of varicose veins is dilated and convoluted subcutaneous veins," said Olimi Shirinbek.
The "rejuvenation" of varicose veins is largely due to lifestyle changes, since young people spend most of their time in a sitting position and venous congestion occurs as a result, the doctor explained. However, this is not the only reason for the development of the disease.
— Hereditary predisposition is of great importance. If parents or close relatives have varicose veins, the risk of its development increases significantly. Overweight, lack of physical activity, prolonged static loads, hormonal changes and smoking also have a detrimental effect," said Olimi Shirinbek.
In addition, uncomfortable shoes also have a negative effect, Andrey Chupin, head of the Vascular Surgery Department at the A.V. Vishnevsky National Research Medical Center of the Ministry of Health, explained to Izvestia. According to him, during the working day, it is worth doing exercises for the calf muscles every hour.
— When sitting, it is necessary to avoid the leg-on-leg position and the crossing of the shins. If possible, it is worth changing your position during the working day, without spending all the time sitting," he added.
Why does blood pressure rise
The prevalence of hypertension among Russians aged 18 to 35 reaches 30%, said Andrey Karpunin. Moreover, the disease is often diagnosed by chance — they find latent hypertension. In addition, young people everywhere complain of tachycardia, a rapid heartbeat, the expert noted.
— This is most often associated with autonomic dysfunction syndrome (a condition in which the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the activity of internal organs, blood vessels, heart and respiration, is disrupted. — Ed.), anxiety disorders and post—covid syndrome, - he emphasized.
According to Anush Avetisyan, cardiologist at the SM Clinic, the trend is associated with sedentary work, irregular work schedules, stress, sleep disorders, excessive consumption of salt and energy drinks, as well as smoking, including vaping.
— A sedentary lifestyle is considered one of the key risk factors for hypertension. With a lack of physical activity, the elasticity of the vascular wall decreases — the vessels expand and contract worse in response to changes in load. In addition, body weight increases, and excess weight makes the heart work harder," she explained.
According to Sergey Boytsov, the chief freelance cardiologist at the Ministry of Health, regular aerobic exercise and strength exercises are necessary for prevention.
— Physical activity leads to a decrease in elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 7 and 5 mm, respectively. The positive effect of different types of exercise on lowering blood pressure varies from 40% to 98%," he explained.
In addition, sports will reduce the effects of factors contributing to the development of arterial hypertension — overweight and obesity, impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, stress, the doctor emphasized.
Andrey Karpunin noted that doctors also record the "rejuvenation" of diseases of the endocrine system. Izvestia wrote that Russians under the age of 35 are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Doctors emphasize that many problems can be avoided if you undergo a full-fledged examination at least once a year. According to Andrey Karpunin, early diagnosis will cover 95% of the risks arising from a sedentary lifestyle.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
