Diabetes in Elderly Patients – a concern

Diabetes in elderly people above 65 years of age nearly contributes to 25 to 30 percent of the whole population. Diabetes is a very common but a serious chronic ailment. Some of the people take it lightly. Type 2 Diabetes being more prevalent in elderly people. The role of genetics plays a very important part in elderly population.

Factors contributing Diabetes in elderly:

• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Faulty eating habbits like sweets, chocolate etc
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Alcohol affecting liver and pancreatic metabolism
• Autoimmune diseases

All these factors contribute or I can say play major role in Diabetes apart from genetics or hereditary family history.

The studies have shown that patients have several metabolic abnormalities, including altered glucose-induced insulin release, increased fasting hepatic glucose production and marked resistance to insulin-mediated glucose disposal.

Image credits: Aging.com

Symptoms in elderly group:

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include:

• Fatigue
• Increased thirst or hunger
• Losing weight without trying
• Urinating often in night
• Blurred vision.
• Repeated Skin infections like candidiasis or slow healing from cuts and bruises.
• Insomnia, disturbed sleeping pattern due to increased frequency of urination in night time.

Some people with type 2 diabetes may not realize they have it because symptoms often develop slowly and go undiagnosed. Sometimes older adults ignore these symptoms as “getting old,” but they can be indication of a serious problem.

Pathophysiology:

When the glucose levels in the blood increases, we say that a person is suffering from Diabetes. Our body gets it’s energy from food. When we eat food a lot of glucose is formed which gets converted to energy. Insulin converts glucose into energy. The production of insulin is controlled by pancreas. Hence the insulin production is less or the patient is insulin resistant, glucose levels in blood increases, leading to Diabetes.

Senior citizens and middle aged population are at high risk of developing Diabetes. Mostly they develop type 2 Diabetes. Nearly 15 to 20 percent of population are Prediabetics.

Now what do you mean by Prediabetics? It is a condition where in the sugar levels in blood are marginally high and is undiagnosed.

Management of Diabetes in elderly:

Firstly the diagnosis and management of a prediabetes is very important. Regular checkups and monitoring glucose levels is of utmost importance. Improvement in lifestyle and way of living is of great help to the individual.

Diet also equally contributes in management of Diabetes. Having healthy diet and following plate diet is of utmost importance. Grapefruit, bitter gourd and black jamun are some foods that help in reducing blood sugar levels.

Going for daily walks or exercise really helps to burn out extra glucose or fat in our body by utilizing energy. Being active is the key mantra to keep Diabetes at Bay. Yoga, pranayams, meditation help a lot to prevent depression.

Avoid drinking water in night after 9 pm helps bladder control and prevents increase frequency of urination in night. Thus this prevents disturbed sleeping pattern.

Taking your timely medicine metformin or insulin as prescribed by your diabetologist prevents further complications of Diabetes.

Regular eye check-up helps you to avoid complication like retinopathy. If any nerve pain or age related neuropathy then one must visit a neurologist for advice and monitor glucose levels. Charcot’s foot and gangrene can be avoided by keeping sugar levels under check. Also be cautious of any injury or a slip.

Stay Safe# Stay Healthy# Prevent Diabetes.

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