Diabetes is a serious health condition that afflicts many older people. Diabetes is when the blood glucose, or blood sugar, of an individual is too high. Fortunately, you can take action to postpone or even prevent type 2 diabetes, which is the most prevalent form of the condition to occur in older people. If you do have diabetes, there are actions you can take to control the condition and avoid diabetes-related illnesses.
What is diabetes?
Glucose is the body’s primary source of energy. Our bodies can produce glucose, and glucose also comes from the food we consume. In order to utilize glucose as energy, the body requires insulin, a hormone that facilitates glucose entry into cells. If you have diabetes, your body might not produce enough insulin, utilize insulin in the proper manner, or both. That can make too much glucose remain in the blood, leading to health issues in the long run.
Types of diabetes
The most prevalent types of diabetes in the elderly are type 1 and type 2:
- Type 1 diabetes: In this type of diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin. While older people may develop type 1 diabetes, it starts most frequently in children and young adults, who will have diabetes for life. Individuals with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily.
- Type 2 diabetes: In this type, the most prevalent type of diabetes, the cells of the body fail to utilize insulin. It is most common in middle age and older adults, but can occur in children. Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is greater if you have one or more of the following risk factors: overweight or obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of diabetes, or a history of gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy). Individuals who are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or Pacific Islander also are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to individuals from other ethnic backgrounds.
Prediabetes is a condition when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough to be considered diabetes. Prediabetes occurs in millions of older Americans. While individuals with prediabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, there are steps that can be taken to prevent or delay the disease. These include keeping your weight healthy, exercising, getting your glucose level checked on a regular basis, and discussing medications and lifestyle changes with your doctor that can lower your risk.
Symptoms of diabetes
Some of the symptoms of diabetes are feeling weak, increased hunger or thirst, weight loss without any attempt, frequent urination, and numbness or tingling in feet or hands. You can also experience blurred vision and skin infections, and your body heals more slowly from bruising and cuts.
In type 2 diabetes, the symptoms usually come on gradually and may not be noticed for a long time. Some individuals with type 2 diabetes do not have symptoms and only learn they have the disease when other diabetes-related health issues arise.
At times, older adults ignore the signs of diabetes as mere “getting old,” but they can be an indication of a serious issue. Discuss with your physician if you have any signs or are worried about getting diabetes.
Tests for diabetes
If you have symptoms or risk factors for diabetes, it’s essential to get tested. An early diagnosis can allow you to control your diabetes and could prevent complications. Physicians utilize a number of blood tests to diagnose diabetes:
- The fasting plasma glucose test involves drawing a sample of your blood at one point in time. In most cases, your physician will administer the test in the morning after you have fasted (have nothing to eat or drink other than water) for a period of eight hours or more.
- The A1C test indicates your average level of blood glucose for the last three months. You may eat and drink normally before having this test. The A1C test is not reliable in individuals with some other illness and conditions, and therefore, your physician may use other tests alongside A1C to make a diagnosis of diabetes.
- Your blood glucose is also measured at a single point in time by the random plasma glucose test. It is administered at any time of the day and does not need fasting.
- There are two parts to the oral glucose tolerance test: first, your fasting blood glucose is checked. Then you have a sweet drink and your blood glucose is checked again after two hours. If you have a high level of glucose, you might have diabetes.
If your doctor thinks you have diabetes based on a blood test, he or she may give you another blood test to be sure.
Managing type 2 diabetes
The individual with diabetes might require controlling the disease with lifestyle adjustments, medication, or both. Most individuals with type 2 diabetes are able to control their blood glucose levels with diet and physical exercise only. Some others require pills for diabetes or injections of insulin, combined with medications to regulate other problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Ask your health care provider questions regarding your medications so that you will know how they work, how to take them, and what side effects may happen.
Managing diabetes is taking care of yourself on a daily basis. Your daily self-care routine to manage your blood glucose might consist of:
- Monitoring your blood glucose levels. Extremely high blood glucose levels (referred to as hyperglycemia) or very low blood glucose levels (referred to as hypoglycemia) can endanger your health. Your plan will indicate how frequently you need to test your glucose and how frequently to have the A1C test. If you are controlling your diabetes without injecting insulin, you might not have to test your glucose as frequently.
- Eating healthy foods. The foods that you eat impact blood glucose levels, so it’s crucial to know what’s healthy for you to eat, how much, and when. Work with your health care team to control your weight and to lose weight if needed.
- Being active. Walking and other daily physical exercise can help make glucose levels better in older adults with diabetes. Plan to be active on most days of the week and make a fitness plan that suits your schedule and capacities. Your health care team will assist you.
- Your medications. You must take medicine as instructed even if you feel healthy. Inform your doctor if you experience any side effects or are unable to pay for your medications. Inform your doctor, too, if you have difficulty taking your medication or remembering your schedule.
Diabetes can touch a lot of areas of your body. If diabetes is not treated or controlled, it can lead to severe health issues over time, including damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, feet, and heart. Individuals with type 2 diabetes can also be at higher risk for cancer, depression, and dementia. Below are additional tips to remain as healthy as possible with diabetes:
- Control your blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure raises your risk for heart disease and can harm your eyes and kidneys.
- Control your cholesterol. At least once a year, have a blood test to determine your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. High levels might raise your risk for heart disease.
- Stop smoking. Smoking increases your risk for a variety of health issues, including heart attack and stroke. If you smoke, work to quit.
- Have annual eye exams. Identifying and treating eye diseases at an early stage can help maintain the health of your eyes.
- Test your kidneys every year. Because diabetes can damage your kidneys, having recommended urine and blood tests will tell you whether your kidneys are healthy.
- Have flu shots annually and the pneumonia vaccine. Having a flu shot annually will keep you healthy. If you are over 65, ensure that you have received the pneumonia vaccine. If you were below the age of 65 at the time you received the pneumonia vaccine, you might need another one. Consult your doctor.
- Take care of your gums and teeth. Brush your teeth and floss once a day. Get your teeth and gums examined every six months by a dentist to prevent severe issues.
- Protect your skin. Keep your skin clean and apply moisturizers for dryness. Treat minor bruises and cuts to avoid infections.
- Check your feet. Wash your feet once a day and keep them safe from getting hurt by wearing shoes and socks all the time. Spend some time examining your feet each day for red spots. Have another person check your feet if you cannot. If your feet have sores, blisters, cuts in the skin, infection, or calluses, visit a foot doctor, also known as a podiatrist.
- Maintain regular cancer screenings. Ask your physician what tests to have done according to your age, gender, and other risks.
- Prepare ahead. Have enough supplies available for testing and managing your diabetes for at least several days in the event of a disaster.
- Discuss with your physician your concerns. If you believe you may require assistance with your management plan, are depressed, concerned about your memory, or have other issues, discuss them with your physician. There might be solutions that can assist.
When you see your health care team, your providers will check on how well you’re doing with your diabetes. You may need a change in your care plan, or more information and support. A change in your health, like a new diagnosis or complication, or a change in your care, like going home from the hospital, can also result in changes to your plan.