Diabetes Basics for Older Adults
What you should know about diabetes
What is diabetes? You may have heard the term but don’t know what it really means. Diabetes is a health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. As you age, your risk increases so it is important to learn the basics.
Beginner’s guide to diabetes in older adults
Understanding diabetes starts with understanding how your body uses glucose for energy and the role insulin plays in controlling blood sugar. When you eat, your body turns food into a type of sugar called glucose. Glucose is your body’s primary fuel source. A small organ called the pancreas makes a hormone called insulin, which acts like a key. This key helps unlock your body’s cells, allowing glucose to enter and be used for energy.
With diabetes, this process doesn’t work as it should. This may happen because:
Your body makes an insufficient amount of insulin.
It does not make insulin at all.
It does not release insulin properly.
Your cells stop responding to the insulin that is there.
When the process doesn’t work properly, blood glucose builds up in your bloodstream. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to health problems and a greater risk of developing diabetes. Learning to manage it is a great way to take better care of yourself. Older adults and those with an ethnic background, such as African American, Hispanic, Latino American and Native American, have a higher risk of diabetes. While you can’t change health factors like your age or family history, you can make choices that will help you stay well and reduce your risk of diabetes later in life.
Before a diabetes diagnosis: Understanding prediabetes
Before a person is diagnosed with diabetes, they may have a condition called prediabetes. This means their blood sugar levels are higher than what is considered normal, but not high enough yet to be called diabetes. This can be a crucial time to make changes. Making simple adjustments to your daily life can help bring those numbers down to a healthy range, reverse prediabetes and might prevent diabetes from developing at all.
Most common types of diabetes
The two most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Another type, called gestational diabetes, can develop during pregnancy.
Type 1 diabetes: The body’s immune system stops the pancreas from making insulin. It is not related to lifestyle and often appears in younger people. It is sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes because of this.
Type 2 diabetes: The most common kind. It happens when your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it well. It often develops over time and can be influenced by lifestyle and other factors, such as lack of physical activity and movement, hormonal imbalances, diet, obesity, genetics, and certain medications. It is recommended that anyone over 35 years of age be screened for type 2 diabetes every three years. All it takes is a simple blood test.
Gestational diabetes: While pregnant, you may develop this condition without even knowing it. It happens if your pancreas cannot overcome the insulin resistance caused by the placenta releasing hormones. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after delivery, but it can affect the baby’s health and increase the mother’s risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.
Tips for taking charge of your health as you age
There are many actions you can take to decrease your risk of getting diabetes. If you currently have diabetes, take control by practicing a healthy lifestyle.
Movement matters
Being active is a helpful way to manage your health. Even a little bit of movement can make a difference. Starting with just five minutes of movement each day, such as a short walk or a few stretches, can help your body use insulin more effectively. Regular activity also supports a healthy weight, which can help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Know your numbers
Understanding your health numbers can be a valuable tool for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about:
Your blood pressure. It’s a good idea to have your pressure checked regularly, every three to six months. A healthy goal is often considered less than 130/80 mmHg or below. High blood pressure readings are one of the most significant diabetes risk factors and can also lead to heart disease.
Check your eyes. High blood sugar levels can affect your vision, so schedule a comprehensive annual eye exam to keep up to date on your eye health. Diabetes risk factors for glaucoma or other diabetes related eye issues need to be ruled out.
Your kidney health. Your doctor may suggest yearly blood and urine tests to check for any changes in your kidney health. Consistently high blood glucose levels can result in kidney failure.
Stop smoking
Smoking increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause inflammation throughout the body by harming your body’s cells. This can make your insulin less effective. When smoke chemicals meet oxygen in your body, it can cause cell damage, called oxidative stress, which can increase your risk of developing diabetes.
Smoking also creates a higher risk of belly fat, which can raise your risk of diabetes, even if you are not overweight.
Signs of high blood sugar
Signs of high blood sugar (or high blood glucose) might include:
Increased thirst
Feeling sluggish or fatiguing easily
Frequently urinating
Losing weight without a known cause
Blurred vision
Slow-healing sores
Frequent bacterial and fungal infections, or vaginal yeast infections
Feeling of numbness or tingling in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
It’s important to talk to your health care provider about these symptoms. They may suggest testing to check your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar stays high, it could lead to type 2 diabetes.
Signs of low blood sugar
When your blood sugar levels drop (low blood glucose), you may feel some of these symptoms:
Shakiness
Feeling unsteady
Sweating (cold sweats are common)
Quickened heartbeat
Hunger
Headache
Blurred or double vision
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Brain fog, confusion or difficulty concentrating
Changes in mood
Weakness or tiredness/fatigue
Constantly having low blood glucose levels can be caused by diseases of the liver, kidneys, or pancreas; metabolic issues, medication and/or alcohol use.
Again, talk to your health care provider when you are experiencing these symptoms more often. There are many reasons why you may have any of these signs, but finding the cause can help you take action to resolve the symptoms.
Final thoughts from Dr. T
We hope that you now have a better understanding of diabetes and ways to help avoid it. Preventing diabetes often means making healthy lifestyle changes. This can include losing weight if needed, eating a balanced diet with carb counting and meal planning, getting regular exercise and keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range. With the right medical care, a balanced diet and regular physical activity, it is very possible to live a long and healthy life.
About the Author
Dr. Grant Tarbox is a HealthSpring Clinical Expert and Senior Executive Medical Director with more than 25 years of American Family Medicine Board Certification.
Share this article: