Diabetes can cause six types of problems: eye, gum, falls, sexual dysfunction, flu, and dementia.
Diabetes can damage the nerves in the feet, making it difficult to feel where your feet are, which can make it easy to trip and fall.
About 1 in 4 adults over age 60 in the United States has diabetes, and having the disease makes people more likely to develop serious complications and to age. The combination of the two can even make some health problems worse.
While there is nothing you can do to stop the diseases, there is a lot you can do to reduce the chances of problems, or at least slow them down.
Treatment of diabetes
Cooperate with your doctor to make sure your diabetes is well controlled. Following a strict treatment plan, taking your medications, watching your diet, and trying to be physically active are interventions that can go a long way toward a healthy life.
Here are 6 ways diabetes and aging can affect your health. If you notice any symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
1. Eye problems
Aging and diabetes can lead to certain eye problems:
- Cataracts: cloudiness forms in the lens
- Glaucoma: increased pressure in the eye
- Retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels in the eye, which can lead to fluid leakage
All of these can lead to serious vision problems and blindness.
Pupil dilation exam
Visit your eye doctor at least once a year for a dilated eye exam. With a dilated eye exam, your doctor can get a better understanding of what is going on inside your eye. If you notice any changes in your eyes or vision, see them immediately and don’t wait for your next appointment.
When to seek medical attention
See your doctor right away if you experience any of the following:
- Blurred vision
- Glitching
- Having trouble reading signs or books
- Pain in one or both eyes
- Feeling pressure in the eye
- See spots or floating objects
- Can’t see objects on either side like before
2. Gum disease
Gum disease can occur when the gums and other tissues near them become infected. Also, the risk of developing gum disease increases with age if proper dental care is not practiced.
People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease. Diabetes affects the body’s ability to fight infections, including oral infections.
In addition, untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss.
Protection
Fortunately, there are many preventive measures for gum disease, such as brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash daily.
Maintain good blood sugar levels and visit your dentist every 6 months, which can help reduce the risk of dental disease.
Contact your doctor if you notice any signs of disease, such as reddened, swollen or bleeding gums.
3. Falls
Falls are a serious problem in the older population. Poor vision, taking certain medications, and balance problems can make people prone to falls.
And, diabetes also puts people at risk for falls.
Peripheral neuropathy
Diabetes can damage the nerves in the feet, a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy can cause pain, tingling, sensitivity, or numbness. This may even make it hard to feel where the foot is, which can make it easy to trip or fall.
Routine foot exams
A regular visit to the doctor will allow you to stand more firmly. Your doctor will perform routine examinations of the feet. If you find any signs of peripheral neuropathy or any problems with your feet, see your doctor promptly.
4. Sexual function problems
Be aware of sexual function problems, which can occur earlier or more severely in people with diabetes than in others. This is because diabetes can damage nerves or blood vessels to the point of affecting the sex organs.
Men with diabetes often experience the following problems:
- Erectile dysfunction: inability to get or keep an erection
- Retrograde ejaculation: semen goes into the bladder instead of the penis
Female patients often experience the following problems:
- Decreased vaginal lubrication or vaginal dryness
- discomfort or pain during sex
- Decreased sexual desire
- Difficulty arousing or maintaining sexual desire
- Decreased pleasure during sex
- Inability to achieve orgasm
Treatment of sexual function problems
Tell your doctor if there is a change in sexual function or desire.
It may seem strange to talk about these problems, but they are common and treatable.
Either with medication and lubricants, or with counseling and exercise, the muscles used during intercourse can be strengthened.
5. Influenza and pneumonia
If you have the flu, diabetes can increase your risk of developing serious complications, especially in people over 65. This is because both diabetes and age weaken the immune system, making it harder for people to fight off infections.
Complications from the flu
- Complications from the flu include
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Sinus infections
- Ear infections
In severe cases, complications can lead to hospitalization or even death.
In addition, influenza can worsen diabetes by raising blood sugar levels.
Also, the flu affects appetite, and when you don’t eat enough, your blood sugar drops sharply.
Treatment of the flu
Contact your doctor if you have the flu. Antiviral medications used to treat the flu work best when given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
The best way to stay healthy is to get the flu vaccine every year, and the flu vaccine is safe for people with diabetes. In addition to this, patients should also get a pneumonia vaccination.
6. Alzheimer’s and Alzheimer’s disease
These diseases are both associated with aging and diabetes. High blood sugar can affect many organs, including the brain. Over time, Alzheimer’s disease can affect memory, learning ability, reasoning, judgment, and the ability to perform daily tasks.
Reducing the chances of developing the disease
There is still a lot of research that doctors need to do to figure out the link between these diseases and aging and diabetes, but the best way to reduce the chances of developing the disease is to control diabetes.