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Understanding Diabetes In Older People
May 10, 2023 0 Comment Category: Care CenterMany seniors are affected by the dangerous condition known as diabetes. When blood glucose is too high, people develop diabetes. If you already have diabetes, there are things you can do to control it and avoid health issues that are associated with it. Our senior care experts share the details of diabetes in older people and ways to manage it.
What Is Diabetes?
Many of the foods we eat are converted by our bodies into glucose, a type of sugar that gives us energy. Our body requires insulin, a hormone that facilitates the entry of glucose into our cells, in order to use it as energy. If you have diabetes, it’s possible that your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, doesn’t use it properly, or does both. As a result, there might be too much glucose in your blood, which could eventually lead to health issues. Your primary care physician might suggest that you see an endocrinologist, a medical professional who focuses on treating diabetic patients.
What Is Prediabetes?
In the opinion of many senior experts, millions of older Americans have “prediabetes.” If you are pre-diabetic, your blood glucose will be above normal, but not high enough to call you diabetic . People who have prediabetes are more likely to acquire type 2 diabetes, experience a heart attack, or suffer a stroke.
There are steps you can take if you have prediabetes to halt or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Being physically active and eating well can both have a significant impact. Create a plan with your doctor to guide you in choosing healthier foods and engaging in regular exercise. If you smoke, seek assistance to stop because type 2 diabetes is more common in smokers than non-smokers.
Managing Diabetes
When you are diagnosed with diabetes, a medical team will work with you to develop a diabetes management strategy. Your doctor might recommend one or more drugs as part of your strategy. There may be participation from additional medical specialists. For instance, a diabetes educator can support you as you adjust your lifestyle to manage your diabetes and assist you in better understanding diabetes.
Your medical team will evaluate how effectively you are controlling your diabetes. You may need to make modifications to your management strategy, or you might need extra guidance and assistance to ensure proper management of diabetes.
Assistance With Diabetic Costs
Medicare might pay for assistance in learning to manage your diabetes. Additionally, it might assist in covering the costs of food preparation, special shoes, foot care, eye exams, and vaccinations against the flu and pneumonia.
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