“What do you mean ‘unhealthy’?”
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition in which blood sugar levels are abnormal due to a deficiency or malfunctioning of insulin.
In the elderly, carbohydrate metabolism disorders become more common. This is due to the fact that the tissues are resistant to insulin, the production of which also decreases with age. This condition is known as diabetes.
We distinguish two basic types of diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes most often occurs in people who are physically inactive, overweight or obese and suffer from hypertension and high cholesterol levels.
Remember
If left untreated, diabetes in the elderly may result in very dangerous complications putting one’s health and life in risk. The most common of them include atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. Complications also frequently affect eyes, kidneys, as well as the nervous system.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Increased appetite and eating large portions of food without gaining weight, or even losing weight instead
Itching and changes on the skin, slow healing of wounds
Physical weakness
Obesity
Visual disturbance, blurred vision, difficulty reading
Treatment and prevention
A balanced diet constitutes the basis for the treatment of diabetes in the elderly. In this case, it is crucial to maintain regularity in eating meals, as well as to ensure diversity in terms of meal quality. A healthy lifestyle may also alleviate the symptoms of the disease.
Pharmacotherapy involves oral insulin stimulant medication and insulin injections.
Remember
While regular intake of medicines and meals may seem easy, for the elderly this is not always the case. Therefore, it is worth taking care of it and monitoring the person’s health. Elderly people who experience mobility problems should be provided with the help of a physiotherapist. It is also worth maintaining constant contact with the person’s general practitioner.
When caring for a person with diabetes, the following rules should be observed:
Changing the rules of nutrition (consulted with a doctor) or strict adherence to the diet if the elderly person is already on one
Observing a diet with a low glycaemic index based on regular meals
Taking medicines as recommended by the doctor
Controlling glucose levels at home using a glucose meter
Monitoring body weight and vital functions of the elderly person (e.g. blood pressure)
Physical exertion should be regular and adapted to the current state of health and the condition of the elderly person. Walking, nordic walking, dancing, etc. are advisable.
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Common Diseases of the Elderly:60% complete