Insulin is an extremely important hormone produced by the pancreas, which helps control the amount of glucose in the body, thus providing energy to cells. Diabetes, even if it is common, is a serious disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. As a result, the blood sugar level rises. While type 1 diabetes is mostly genetic and the result of autoimmune conditions, which make it predominant in children, type 2 diabetes is much more common in older people.
In the year 1990, a study was done jointly by the WHO, Harvard University and the World Bank, which showed how an unhealthy lifestyle can lead to type 2 diabetes. Given that this type of diabetes depends on a variety of conditions that affect your body and system over time, the result is visible with age. Type 2 diabetes is closely related to age. Therefore, diabetes is more common in older people than we would like to admit.
Diabetes: The risk factor of age
There are four types of diabetes that one should know of:
Pre-diabetes: This is not diabetes. Rather, this is a precursor to diabetes. This happens when the blood sugar levels are high, but not enough to be termed as diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes: This one occurs due to genetic conditions or autoimmune diseases. This is a more serious form of diabetes and can occur in children. It requires constant medical intervention.
Type 2 diabetes: This is caused over time by an unhealthy lifestyle, including unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity. Age is another major factor as old age diabetes is quite common. In many cases, if not diagnosed and treated in time, prediabetes also turns into type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be treated with minimal medical intervention and lifestyle changes. However, age is a factor that can define the level of medical procedures required.
Gestational diabetes: This is a very rare form of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women. More than the mother, the baby is at risk here as high blood sugar can pass to her through the placenta.
For now, let’s concentrate on diabetes in older people.
Diabetes in older people is scary and severe. The age factor brings many other problems, which when combined with diabetes, deteriorates the bodily functions. There are additional complications such as chronic pains, memory issues, incontinence, heart complications, nerve issues, digestive problems, and more.
Diabetes in older people is scary and severe. The age factor brings many other problems, which when combined with diabetes, deteriorates the bodily functions. There are additional complications such as chronic pains, memory issues, incontinence, heart complications, nerve issues, digestive problems, and more.
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All of it together wrecks havoc on a body that is already rendered weak and vulnerable due to age. That’s why diabetes in older people needs a keen eye so that proper and consistent care is provided.
Of the aforementioned types, there are possibilities of prediabetes, type 1, and type 2 diabetes in older people. Let’s take a look at how each affects them and how it can be treated with precautions and medication.
Of the aforementioned types, there are possibilities of prediabetes, type 1, and type 2 diabetes in older people. Let’s take a look at how each affects them and how it can be treated with precautions and medication.
Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes in Older People: Symptoms, Precautions, and Treatment
Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar level is high, yet not high enough to cause diabetes. Since type 1 diabetes is a standalone condition, pre-diabetes usually develops into type 2 diabetes if left uncontrolled.
It has been noted that many older people have prediabetes, which means they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and related complications. This is because risk factors, including increasing age, lead to insulin imbalance and symptoms of resistance. The risk factors and causes of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are similar. These are:
- In some cases genetics may be to blame. If there is a family history of high blood sugar, chances are you have inherited it. However, its intensity depends on your lifestyle.
- Inaction could be another reason. Diabetes, or in this case, pre-diabetes, in seniors is often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, which includes a lack of exercise.
- Obesity and excess fat also contribute to prediabetes and diabetes in older people.
- Irregular sleep patterns are also responsible for triggering diabetes in older people, including prediabetes. Various researches and studies have concluded that people with regular sleep cycles have lower blood sugar than people with irregular blood sugar.
Once prediabetes turns into type 2 diabetes, the following signs of old age diabetes may be observed:
- Frequent hunger and thirst
- Persistent fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Frequent toilet visits to urinate
The best way to prevent this early form of diabetes and type 2 diabetes in older people is to immediately change the diet to include foods and fruits with more nutrients and fiber. In addition, reducing processed foods, artificial sweeteners and salt is recommended.
If pre-diabetes develops into type 2 diabetes for older people, the risk of further conditions is unavoidable. This happens because the older the age, the weaker the immune system becomes. This combined with other health issues and medications often elevates blood sugar levels and in some cases results in catastrophic conditions such as kidney failure, stroke, adult-onset blindness and even amputation of limbs. Is.
Treatment mostly involves putting lifestyle in order. Prediabetes doesn't need anything more than this unless your doctor suggests otherwise. In case of type 2 diabetes in older people, depending on the severity of the case, medical treatments such as metformin, insulin therapy, and more may be prescribed.
Old age diabetes should not be taken lightly.
Type 1 diabetes in older people: what should you know?
Now let's talk about type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually caused by autoimmune diseases in children, in which the pancreas's ability to release insulin is affected. As a result, the blood sugar level rises. Although most adults over the age of 40 are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, in some rare cases, type 1 diabetes may also emerge. So, how do you identify type 1 diabetes in older people?
Some warning signs are:
- drastic change in mood
- frequent trips to urinate
- blurred vision
- persistent lethargy
- Sudden weight loss without any exercise or dietary changes
The presence of the above signs may indicate the existence of type 1 diabetes. This can lead to serious conditions such as kidney damage, heart disease or stroke, nerve damage, eye damage, foot damage, hypoglycaemia, and more. All of these conditions can be caused by poor blood flow in the body, which can damage nerves and organs.
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In most cases, type 1 diabetes in older people is treated through pumps and injections, just as it is done in children and adolescents. However, the dosage and frequency depend on how severe the condition is. The main aim of treatment of type 1 diabetes is to provide insulin to the body as it is not being produced naturally.
Diabetes, especially in older people, can be serious and even fatal. Thus, it is extremely important to notice every change in mood and body and watch out for any warning signs so that this demon can be nipped in the bud.
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