Manage Diabetes In Indian Elders

A disease like diabetes is very serious and it affects numerous older adults. People face diabetes when their blood sugar is also known as blood glucose in scientific terms is too high or increases rapidly. The good thing is that you can take steps to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes which is a prevailing form of the disease that develops in older adults. If an elderly is already dealing with diabetes, there are steps they can take to handle their disease condition and avoid health problems related to diabetes. Managing diabetes in Indian elders is very important. 

What is diabetes?

In the food that we eat, our body turns that food into sugar also known as glucose which in turn gives us energy. To utilize glucose as energy, our body requires insulin, which is a hormone that aids glucose to get into our body cells. If you are a prey of diabetes, it means that your body is not producing enough insulin or the insulin produced is not getting used in the correct way, or your body is going through both issues. This can create too much glucose that stays in your blood and can cause numerous health problems over time. If you get checked up by a family doctor, they will mostly suggest you visit a doctor in the specialization of diabetes management also called an endocrinologist or they may deal directly to help manage diabetes in Indian elders. 

Here are the types of diabetes an elderly can face or go through

Type 1 diabetes

In this type of diabetes, the body does not create insulin. Although this type of diabetes can get developed in older adults mostly it starts in children and adults who are still young and then they have diabetes for life. 

Type 2 diabetes

In this type of diabetes, the body either does not make insulin or uses the insulin in a proper manner. It is the most extensive kind of diabetes. It happens most often in the middle age people and senior citizens but this does not mean that this type of diabetes cannot affect children. Your chance of getting this type of diabetes is more if you are lazy, overweight, or have it in your family genes. Women with a history of diabetes that develops during the time of pregnancy also known as gestational diabetes have a larger chance of getting type two diabetes later in their life when they reach old age. 

Note: always make sure that there is health insurance for senior citizens so that all the costs can get covered and they don’t have to pay anything extra. 

Diabetes and COVID-19

Senior citizens with type 2 or type 1 diabetes can be at higher risk if they get severely ill from COVID-19 which is a respiratory disease and is more serious than any flu. In such cases, it is very important to take necessary precautions when dealing with this virus. If the elderly feel that they are exposed to COVID-19, it is necessary immediately talk to a proper health care provider about the symptoms that occur and you feel. 

How to oversee type 2 diabetes in elderly people

Numerous older people with this diabetes can manage their glucose level with exercise and a controlled diet alone. Others might need insulin injections or maybe diabetic pills along with other medicines that can help to control other conditions like high cholesterol and high blood presssure. As time passes, a person facing diabetic issues needs to change their medication and lifestyle accordingly. Diabetes management is very important before it gets worse. 

Here is a list of things you should keep in mind while you prepare your diabetes management list and also get health insurance for senior citizens. 

• Track your glucose levels
• Eat healthy food
• Be more active than ever
• Take your medications

Here are some prompt tips to regulate your diabetes

• Manage your blood pressure
• Have yearly eye checkups
• Manage your cholesterol
• Get a proper checkup for your kidneys
• Stop smoking
• Get pneumonia vaccine and flu shots every year
• Take care of your teeth and gums
• Protect your skin and feet
• Get cancer screening done on time
• Go to a doctor if there are any concerns

If you are a part of the Silver Talkies Club then, our health care team will assess your diabetes and will also help you in managing it. There are chances that your management plan might need changes or you might need extra information and support to manage diabetes in Indian elders.