Many patients know that the best way to manage the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and prevent complications is to control blood glucose. But do patients know that aging causes changes in the way the body processes glucose and insulin? To avoid regression in health, it’s time to adjust the way you manage your diabetes.
Aging can affect a patient’s ability to manage diabetes
Some of the barriers that aging can affect a patient’s ability to manage their diabetes may include the following:
- Loss of brain power and memory, which can make it more difficult for patients to plan their diet and remember when to take their medications;
- Changes in the body that prevent medications from working as well as they did before;
- Sight problems that may cause them to make mistakes in reading blood glucose level values or administering the correct dose of insulin;
- Medications taken for other medical conditions that interact with diabetes medications and affect their effectiveness.
By working with your healthcare team to develop a plan and paying close attention to your body’s changes, you can continue to live a healthy life.
Create your own healthcare team
Many healthcare professionals can help better manage diabetes, including:
- endocrinologists;
- Nurses;
- Nutritionists;
- Pharmacists;
- Diabetes educators;
- Podiatrists;
- Ophthalmologists;
- Dentist.
As people with diabetes age, the risk of depression increases. It is possible to consult with a professional or seek support from friends and family, both of which can keep a patient’s outlook on treatment positive.
Keep an eye on your blood glucose numbers
Learn how to check your blood sugar. You should talk to your doctor to find out what your ideal blood glucose level should be to figure out if you are too high or too low.
Physicians should also test patients for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at least every 2 years, which can help patients know their average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months.
Diabetes raises the risk of heart attack and stroke, so other values to look for include:
- Blood pressure;
- Cholesterol levels.
- Cholesterol levels.
Preventing low blood sugar is just as important as preventing high blood sugar, and multiple episodes of hypoglycemia can double the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. When patients can’t think, they can’t manage their diabetes well.
Managing one’s medication
Maintaining medication on time while implementing a diet regimen and other diabetes-related tasks can be difficult. So, in order to take full control of your daily needs, you should do the following.
- Make a list of all the medications you are using and what they are for.
- Store your medications in a pill box to help remember if you have taken your dose for the day.
- Use the alarm clock, timer, or other device on your phone to remind yourself when to take your medication.
- Make medication use a part of your daily life so you can develop good medication habits.
Eat healthy foods
Medications are great for managing diabetes, but good nutrition can also set the tone for healthy blood sugar levels. Appetites may change as you age, but you still need to maintain a balanced diet and make smart choices about food.
When planning your meals, stay away from refined sugars. For other foods, use the following as a guide to your choices.
- Serve non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, greens, or carrots, on half of your plate.
- Serve whole grains or starchy vegetables, such as whole wheat pasta, brown rice, or sweet potatoes, on ΒΌ of your plate.
- Give the other 1/4 of your plate a protein such as meat, eggs, or fish.
- Add 240 ml of dairy (such as skim milk) and 1/2 cup of fruit, and you have a nutritious meal.
Exercise daily
Just a little bit of physical activity can go a long way toward overall health.
Regular exercise can:
- Maintain physical flexibility;
- Improve blood flow;
- Help with balance;
- Make bones and muscles stronger;
- Reduces stress that can raise blood sugar.
Staying active can also help with weight loss. When at a healthy weight, both glucose and insulin work better. Set a goal to exercise 30 minutes a day, 5 or more days a week. Walking is a great way to boost your heart rate and stay healthy, but of course there are also ways to exercise.
- Doing yoga or tai chi;
- Keeping flowers and plants in the garden;
- Using elastic bands or doing light weight lifting;
- Dancing;
- Swim or do water aerobics.
Attend to your body’s symptoms
The body has its own way of alerting you to what’s wrong. As you get older, it’s important to keep an eye out for these warning messages. For people with type 2 diabetes, even a small sign can be a sign that something big is brewing.
- Pain in the legs, numbness, or a long-lasting ulcer can mean that the arteries are developing disease.
- Feeling shaky, sweaty, irritable, or unconscious can be a sign of low blood sugar.
- Falls and fractures, which often mean that the bones are not getting enough calcium, and the reason behind them may be osteoporosis.
The good news is that taking full control of your diabetes condition can help avoid (and in some cases reverse) serious complications. Keep a close eye on your health and report any changes to your doctor.