While Type 2 diabetes is affecting more and more younger people it still occurs more in the elderly. People are not always aware that they suffer from diabetes until they go for a routine check up. The medical website for Mayo Clinic claims that in the United States alone there are more than six million people who are not aware of the fact that they are diabetic.
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Weight gain or weight loss that has no other cause can be a sign of diabetes.
- Diabetic people find that they are thirstier than always.
- Frequent urination is another possible sign of diabetes.
- Blurred vision can be a symptom but it can also be an eye disease related problem.
- Some diabetic people find that wounds tend to heal slower than normal.
Who is at Risk?
- Overweight is the primary risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.
- Inactive people are at greater risk. Inactive people also tend to pick up weight easier and can become overweight or obese.
- Age is one of the other main risk factors and most probably because older people might be less active and gain weight easier.
- A family history of diabetes can increase the risk.
Complications Associated with Type 2 Diabetes
- Diabetes can damage the delicate filtering system of the kidneys and if diabetes is left untreated it can lead to kidney failure.
- Eye damage that can lead to blindness is also associated with diabetes.
- Diabetes can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, can lead to foot or leg amputation, increase the risk of osteoporosis or lead to blood and heart vessel disease.
Treatments
- Blood sugar levels must be monitored regularly. This must be checked daily or several times a week. Your doctor will inform you about the procedure. It is essential to assist older people with this, especially if they tend to be forgetful or can’t manage it by themselves.
- Healthy eating is very important and older people should also be assisted with this if necessary.
- Regular exercise will help to loose weight or prevent weight gain.
- Oral medication or insulin therapy might be prescribed. Some people might only need to make the necessary lifestyle changes while other will need both medication and lifestyle changes.
Diabetes can be a death sentence if it is not controlled, but if it is quickly diagnosed and kept under control older people won’t experience serious side effects.
