Shelia Lewis: Smith County Extension

Diabetes is a serious disease at any age, but is especially serious for older adults. It happens when the level of sugar in your blood, also known as glucose, is too high. High glucose levels may be managed to help control the disease and prevent or delay future problems.

Your body changes the food you eat into glucose to feed the cells that make up your body. The cells cannot process the sugar alone so you produce a hormone called insulin to help. People with diabetes either do not make insulin, do not use insulin properly or both. As a result, they often feel tired, hungry or thirsty; they may lose weight, urinate often or have trouble with their eyes. It may also cause heart disease, strokes and even the need to remove all or part of a limb.

There are two types of diabetes. In Type-1 Diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. In the other kind of diabetes, the body produces insulin but does not use it in the right way. This is called Type-2 Diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes.


RISK FACTORS

Diabetes tends to run in families but other factors may add to the risk of developing diabetes, such as being overweight and/or underactive. There are many unknowns surrounding diabetes, and research is constantly looking at what causes diabetes and how best to manage it. While questions continue to persist, there is a lot that is known. For example, we know that careful control of blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol can help prevent or delay diabetes and its complications.

Research shows that some increase in blood glucose levels often comes with age. This may be caused by weight gain, especially when fat builds up around the waist. Many people with Type-2 Diabetes have few or no symptoms. For some people, feeling run down is their only symptom. Other people may feel thirsty, urinate often, lose weight, have blurred vision, get skin infections or heal slowly from cuts and bruises. It is very important to tell your health provider right away about any of these problems.

Your health provider may diagnose diabetes by reviewing your symptoms and checking your blood glucose levels. One test measures your blood glucose level after eating or drinking nothing for at least 8 hours, usually overnight. In another test, your blood glucose is checked and then you drink a sugary beverage. Diagnosis is confirmed after a repeat test on a different day.

TAKING CONTROL

There are many things you may do to take control of your diabetes, among others:

Meal planning and eating correctly are key to managing blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. To plan meals and eat right, you need to understand how different foods affect your glucose levels. Ask your health provider to help you plan your meals or find another professional who can help you.

Physical activity is very important in dealing with diabetes. Taking part in a regular fitness program may improve blood glucose levels. A health professional may help you plan an exercise routine.

Medications may also be central to controlling diabetes for many people. Your health provider may prescribe oral medicines, insulin, or a combination of both.

HEALTH CHECKS

You should regularly check blood glucose levels and monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. Additionally, there are some other checks your health provider should perform regularly.

Eye Exams: People with diabetes should have an eye exam every year. Finding and treating eye problems early can help prevent more serious conditions later on.

Kidney Check: A yearly urine test for a protein called albumin will show whether your kidneys are affected by diabetes.

Foot Care: Diabetes can reduce blood supply to arms and legs and cause numbness in the feet. People with diabetes should check their feet every day and watch for any redness or patches of heat. Sores, blisters, breaks in the skin, infections, or build-up of calluses should be checked right away by your health provider.

Skin Care: People with diabetes can protect their skin by keeping it clan, using skin softeners to treat dryness and taking care of minor cuts and bruises to prevent infections and other problems.

Teeth and Gums: Working closely with a dentist is very important. Teeth and gums need special attention to avoid serious infections.


Shelia Lewis is a Smith County Extension agent in family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at sk-lewis@tamu.edu.



For more information, contact your County Extension Agent. You may also visit the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, a service of the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov.

Shelia Lewis
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