Young professionals at increased risk of several lifestyle diseases

Team L&M

Thanks to hectic schedules, erratic lifestyles, and high stress levels, young corporate professionals have higher chances of getting detected with lifestyle disorders. These are pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, and fatty liver. So, timely detection and intervention can prevent serious complications and long-term health issues. Regular testing and screening are advised for young corporate professionals.

Today’s youngsters often skip meals, rely on fast food, and work under constant pressure. “Sedentary office jobs, long working hours, and irregular sleep patterns tend to disturb metabolism. Further, consuming processed food, sugary drinks, and caffeine, smoking, alcohol use, also increases the risk of early-onset metabolic and lifestyle  disorders. These  combinations of lifestyle factors makes them more vulnerable to issues like fatty liver too.

Harbouring lifestyle disorders

Many times an individual may be harbouring a lifestyle disorder for months or even years,  before noticeable symptoms appear. Diabetes may initially show fatigue, increased thirst, or frequent urination. High cholesterol rarely presents obvious symptoms but silently contributes to heart disease. Hypertension can lead to headaches, dizziness, or vision problems. And fatty liver may cause abdominal discomfort or a feeling of heaviness. If unchecked, these conditions can progress to type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and liver damage,” says Dr Upasana Garg, Regional Technical Chief, Apollo Diagnostic, Mumbai.

She further adds,“ 50% of young corporate professionals are at rising risk of pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, and fatty liver. People, particularly between  25-45 years are advised to undergo regular health check-ups to identify risks early. Early detection is key to managing these diseases. Recommended tests include fasting blood sugar and HbA1c for pre-diabetes, lipid profile for cholesterol, blood pressure monitoring for hypertension, ECG and echocardiogram , HsCRP for heart health, and liver function tests and ultrasound for fatty liver. These can provide a clear picture and aid in timely interventions, and shouldn’t be missed at all.  Furthermore, maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, reducing stress, and avoiding smoking and alcohol are key. Incorporating short breaks and walking, stretching, mindful eating, and adequate sleep can help prevent the progression of these lifestyle-related diseases.

Risk is Real and worrisome

Approximately 40% of young corporate professionals are at risk of lifestyle-related disorders such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, and fatty liver.  Four out of 10 people in a month report having warning signs like fatigue, frequent headaches, dizziness, and unexplained weight gain. These issues are caused by chronic stress, high work pressure, tight deadlines, and long sedentary hours. Unhealthy eating habits, late-night work, and lack of physical activity further increase the risk.

Dr Nimitt Nagda, Internal Medicine Expert at Zynova Shalby Hospital Mumbai  advises regular health check-ups recommended by the doctor and detect these issues on time. “It is necessary to opt for a balanced diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and avoid smoking or excessive alcohol. Everyone should stay active, keep moving, cut down on processed and sugary foods, and de-stress by doing yoga and meditation.  Moreover, following your doctor’s advice for medications will help to keep these conditions in check,” he says.