A 36-year-old man's takeaway addiction caused a "metabolic crisis", with ketoacidosis and severe pancreatitis breaking out at the same time

Recently, a news report about "a 36-year-old man who had been eating takeout for a long time and suddenly suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion and was rushed to the hospital" became a hot topic.

According to his attending physician, the man was obese (BMI ≥ 41), had a history of hypertension (not treated regularly), stayed up late for a long time, and loved beverages, milk tea, takeout, and skewers. One day, he suddenly suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, and became unconscious. After being sent to the hospital, it was found that his triglycerides, blood sugar, and uric acid levels were all off the charts. He was eventually diagnosed with "diabetic ketoacidosis" and "severe pancreatitis."

Fortunately, the man was sent to the hospital in time and his condition was soon relieved.

After reading this news, the onlookers said that their hands were shaking a little when they ordered takeout...

1. Why did he suffer from these diseases?

These frightening diseases came to him because of a "metabolic crisis" in his body that involved multiple risk factors. According to public information, the man had at least the following four risk factors:

1. Age ≥ 35 years old: From the age of 35, the human body's basal metabolic rate begins to decline. The 2024 diabetes prevention and control guidelines have listed people aged ≥ 35 years old as a high-risk group.

2. Central obesity (BMI ≥ 41): The man’s BMI ≥ 41 is classified as severe obesity, indicating accumulation of visceral fat in his body, which triggers insulin resistance, pushing up blood sugar, blood lipids and uric acid, forming a vicious cycle.

3. History of hypertension: Irregularly treated hypertension can damage the vascular endothelium, promote arteriosclerosis, and aggravate insulin resistance.

4. Lack of physical activity: Long-term lack of exercise leads to reduced muscle glucose uptake, reduced energy consumption, and aggravated fat accumulation.

In addition, their bad living and eating habits undoubtedly make the situation worse and become an important factor in the onset of the disease.

High sugar: Fructose drinks and milk tea have extremely high sugar content. Long-term excessive intake of such high-sugar foods will significantly increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, causing insulin resistance, hypertension and lipid metabolism disorders.

High fat: Excessive saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids in takeout, barbecue, and fried foods are "silent health killers". Long-term excessive intake can cause a series of metabolic disorders and aggravate insulin resistance.

High purine: Take-out barbecue, animal offal, etc. are rich in purine, which directly increases uric acid.

High sodium: The average sodium content of takeout meals exceeds the standard by 1.3 times.

2. Why do high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood lipids and high uric acid occur at the same time?

This is a typical feature of "metabolic syndrome", and the core cause is insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance can lead to abnormal sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism disorders, decreased uric acid excretion, renal retention, hormone disorders and other changes, resulting in the man suffering from high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood lipids and high uric acid.

3. Why does diabetic ketoacidosis occur?

Complications of diabetes usually take many years to develop.

The diabetic ketoacidosis that this man experienced was an acute hyperglycemic crisis. This was because:

1. Latent diabetes: The man had long-term insulin resistance, and diabetes had been latently progressing in his body for a long time, but because the man did not have regular physical examinations or monitor his blood sugar, the presence of diabetes was not discovered.

2. Acute causes: Excessive intake of high-sugar, high-fat foods at one time leads to a sharp increase in blood sugar, relative or absolute lack of insulin, and blood sugar cannot be effectively utilized. The body can only break down fat and produce a large number of ketone bodies, inducing ketoacidosis.

4. Why is it accompanied by severe pancreatitis?

The two most common causes of acute pancreatitis in young men are hypertriglyceridemia and excessive alcohol consumption.

The man's blood triglycerides skyrocketed and he even developed chyluemia, which caused abnormal activation of pancreatic enzymes, producing a digestive effect on the pancreas itself and surrounding organs, leading to acute pancreatitis.

5. What can we do to prevent his tragedy from happening again?

1. Dietary intervention: From “four reductions” to “three increases”

Reduce high-sodium, high-sugar, high-fat, and high-purine diets: avoid fried foods, milk tea, barbecue, animal offal, and reduce alcohol intake.

Increase the intake of dietary fiber, high-quality protein, and low-GI foods: such as whole grains, green leafy vegetables, fish, etc.

2. Lifestyle Adjustment:

Obesity (BMI ≥ 28) is a core cause of metabolic syndrome, and at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week is recommended.

3. Regular monitoring:

High-risk groups (such as those aged ≥35 who are obese, have a family history, have a history of chronic diseases, etc.) should undergo diabetes screening immediately, and those with normal screening results should be rechecked every 3 years.

This case warns us:

Long-term poor diet or lifestyle can trigger a "metabolic crisis".

Prevention is better than cure! Healthy diet, regular exercise and regular medical check-ups can effectively stop the progression of the disease.

Young people should not neglect their health just because they are young. After all, life is only once and health cannot be taken away!

Note: The content of this article is based on the "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes in China (2024 Edition)" and other public medical literature. It is only used for health education and cannot replace diagnosis and treatment!