What Can People Over Age 50 Do to Protect Themselves from Diabetes Complications as They Age?

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood. It occurs when the body is unable to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, it is responsible for conveying glucose from food into cells to be used for energy generation. The inability of a human body to generate enough Insulin will cause excess glucose in the blood stream.

 Types of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes. Namely;

• Type 1 Diabetes, where the individual does not produce enough Insulin

• Type 2 Diabetes, where the individuals body produces Insulin, but uses it in the wrong way.

 Symptoms of Diabetes

The general symptoms of Diabetes include, tiredness, hunger and thirst. Some particular symptoms include loss of weight without, often urinating, blurred vision, slow healing from bruises and cuts, and skin infections.

How to prevent Diabetes

• Track your glucose levels.

• Make healthy food choices.

• Exercise

Daily exercise will help improve glucose levels especially in older people.

 Diabetes in the Older Generation

Diabetes in most adults is usually found in the type 2. An ADA article wrote;

“More than 25% of the U.S. population aged ≥65 years has diabetes, and the aging of the overall population is a significant driver of the diabetes epidemic. Although the burden of diabetes is often described in terms of its impact on working-age adults, diabetes in older adults is linked to higher mortality, reduced functional status, and increased risk of institutionalization. Older adults with diabetes are at substantial risk for both acute and chronic microvascular and cardiovascular complications of the disease.”

What people over age 50 can do to protect themselves from diabetes complications as they age?

• Monitor your average blood glucose level.

It is most important for an adult over 50 to know his or her blood sugar level and continuously monitor it, so as to know the right measure to take at higher levels. At least twice a year, an adult should take the A1C blood test. This test result would show your average blood sugar level over a three-month period.

• Monitor your blood pressure.

The presence of excess glucose levels in the blood also leads to high blood pressure, monitoring this will also keep the doctor informed on your diabetes status and will overall protect you from cardio attacks or failures.

• Monitor your Cholesterol Levels

High levels of cholesterol may lead to heart attack. As a diabetic, it is important to keep watch over this, as it would inform you on how to adjust your diet.

• Do Kidney Checks

Diabetes can lead to kidney damage. High blood sugar (Glucose) passing through blood vessels in your kidney can cause damage of those vessels. This is rampant in diabetes, so maintaining a good living even with diabetes should involve regular kidney checks.

• Stop Smoking and Stop Drinking.

Both actions can cause a worsening of a diabetic condition and cause damage to body organs. It has been found that, tobacco use can increase blood sugar levels and lead to insulin resistance. The more you smoke, the greater your risk of diabetes. People who smoke heavily (more than 20 cigarettes a day) have almost double the risk of developing diabetes as opposed to people who don’t smoke.

• Make Healthy Food Choices

Read a little on different foods and how they affect glucose levels. Form your little research, make good inferences on what suits your glucose level. The continuous consumption of junk food or high carbohydrate diets will increase blood sugar level, but the consumption of most natural vegetables decreases blood sugar level.

• Protect Your Skin

It is important to protect your skin from cuts and bruises as it may lead to serious injuries, due to slow healing. Always ensure that your skin is moisturized.

• Use Your Medicine

Always use your medicine, even when you feel good.