A 22-year-old man from Taiwan (China) went to the hospital after experiencing unexplained weight loss and fatigue. Medical examinations revealed that he was suffering from both kidney failure and diabetes at the same time.

22-Year-Old Diagnosed With Kidney Failure and Diabetes Simultaneously

The young man, identified as Wu Wan, 22, from Taipei, Taiwan (China), is 1.8 meters tall and weighed 120 kilograms. He said that over the past four months, he had lost 20 kilograms without dieting or exercising.

Recently, he also began experiencing symptoms such as unexplained fatigue and foamy urine. Concerned about his health, Wu Wan visited the Nephrology Department at Taipei Medical University’s Shuang Ho Hospital for a medical examination.

Test results showed that his fasting blood sugar level was 250 mg/dL, while his HbA1c level was above 9% — both significantly higher than normal. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Kidney function tests also revealed stage 3 kidney failure, with his kidney function reduced to only 30–40% compared to a healthy person.

Dr. Wu Mei-Yi, Deputy Director of Shuang Ho Hospital, said the patient was prescribed medication to control his blood sugar and received intensive treatment to preserve kidney function. Hospital nutritionists also advised him on improving his lifestyle and eating habits to better manage his condition.

3 Bad Habits That Increased the Risk

According to Dr. Wu Mei-Yi, doctors discovered several unhealthy lifestyle habits during the patient’s medical evaluation.

The patient shared that he worked at a fast-food restaurant and regularly consumed sugary drinks during work hours. Every day, he drank one to two cups of sweetened beverages. In addition, he frequently ate greasy fast food with very little vegetable intake. He also lived a physically inactive lifestyle.

The expert explained that the three unhealthy habits — excessive consumption of sugary drinks, an unhealthy diet high in greasy foods and low in vegetables, and lack of exercise — led to obesity, which significantly increased the risk of diabetes and kidney failure.

Dr. Wu Mei-Yi noted that sugary drinks and fast food are popular and commonly consumed by many people. However, experts warn that regularly consuming these foods and beverages can trigger inflammation in the body and contribute to overweight and obesity, which are major risk factors for metabolic disorders.

In addition, frequent consumption of sugary drinks can cause blood sugar levels to spike, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

If metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes are not detected and treated early, they can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney dysfunction.

Expert Advice

Dr. Wu Mei-Yi recommends that people adopt a healthier diet to help prevent diabetes and kidney disease. This includes eating more fresh fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron, while limiting foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

In addition, maintaining regular exercise habits is essential. Physical activity helps improve metabolism, maintain a healthy weight, prevent obesity, stabilize blood pressure, and reduce blood fat levels — all important factors in preventing diabetes and protecting kidney health.