Ondokuz Mayıs University Rector’s Advisor Dr. Özgür Kılıç noted that there has been a marked increase in admissions to the internal medicine outpatient clinics in recent years and said, “We observe that metabolic and chronic diseases in particular have grown considerably over the last years.”

There is also a notable rise in liver-fat related admissions

Dr. Kılıç stated that the most frequent reasons for presenting to internal medicine are symptoms such as malaise, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and added, “Gastrointestinal complaints, elevated blood pressure, irregular blood sugar levels, weight changes, thyroid-related concerns, and signs of infection are among the common causes we encounter. Admissions associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and liver steatosis have shown a distinct upward trend lately. Individuals with chronic conditions apply regularly for checkups and treatment planning.”

Metabolic and chronic diseases predominantly observed

Referring to the prominent diagnoses of 2025, Dr. Kılıç explained that metabolic and chronic disorders are more visible and said, “Diabetes and pre-diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors, obesity-driven complications, thyroid diseases, respiratory and viral infections, stress and anxiety-related somatic symptoms, and liver-fat issues form the main spectrum. Increasing sedentary behavior and unhealthy nutrition in society directly shape this picture.”

Growing numbers among young adults

Dr. Kılıç evaluated admissions according to age groups and mentioned that the total number is still higher in middle-aged and elderly populations. He remarked, “However, we have recently seen a significant climb among young adults as well. Insulin resistance, obesity, reflux and stomach complaints, thyroid function irregularities, stress, sleep disturbance, and inactivity are leading reasons in youth; while older patients usually apply for follow-up of multiple chronic diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular problems.”

Post-pandemic health awareness increased

Dr. Kılıç pointed out that the surge in admissions to internal medicine stems from numerous factors and said, “Longer life expectancy, rising chronic diseases, sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets, increased obesity and metabolic syndrome, enhanced health awareness after the pandemic, widespread routine controls, chronic stress and sleep disorders, smoking and alcohol use are among the major causes.”

Desk-bound life, chronic stress, sleep disorder

Stressing that nutrition habits, stress, and lifestyle influence disease prevalence directly, Dr. Kılıç added, “Consumption of ready-made high-calorie foods, low physical activity, desk-bound living, chronic stress, sleep disorder, and smoking and alcohol use lead to increases in diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, liver steatosis, and cardiovascular diseases, and this in turn raises internal medicine admissions.”

Dr. Kılıç also delivered a message to society and said,

“Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress management, and routine health controls can prevent a large portion of today’s metabolic and chronic diseases. The increase in health admissions also indicates that society has begun to take greater ownership of its own health.”