Have you or a senior loved one been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes? Although diabetes is a fairly common disease, you may have questions about what causes it, how to reduce the risk of developing diabetes, and how it’s treated.
In this guide, we’ll help you better understand how diabetes develops, common signs of diabetes, how to manage diabetes symptoms, and what preventative measures you can take to avoid diabetes complications.
- What Is Diabetes?
- Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes
- How to Treat Diabetes
- How to Prevent Diabetes
- Diabetes FAQs
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body doesn’t produce or properly use a hormone called insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and keep them within a normal range. When blood sugar levels aren’t managed and build up in the bloodstream, it can lead to long-term nerve damage, vision issues, heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and other health conditions.
Diabetes can affect people of all ages; however, certain groups are at a higher risk of developing diabetes than others. There are also different types of diabetes which can impact different groups of people, so it’s important to understand which type you’re at risk for—or have developed—in order to effectively manage the condition.
Types of Diabetes
The most common types of diabetes include:
- Type 1 diabetes (previously called juvenile diabetes) is an autoimmune condition most often diagnosed in children and young adults, in which the body destroys insulin-producing cells for unknown reasons.
- Type 2 diabetes (also called hyperglycemia) is a chronic condition caused by glucose levels that rise higher than normal because the body is unable to use insulin properly (i.e., insulin resistance). It’s the most common form of diabetes, with between 90-95% of diagnosed individuals having this form of the disease.
- Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It’s considered the stage before type 2 diabetes, and lifestyle modifications after diagnosis can reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, which means seniors don’t experience this type of diabetes. However, if you or your loved one had this condition previously, it can increase your risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in life.
Diabetes Risk Factors
Like many diseases, there are certain risk factors that increase the potential for developing diabetes. Some of these risk factors are within your control, while others are factors you should be aware of:
- Being age 45 or older
- Family history of diabetes, including having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Being African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native (Some Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans also have a higher risk)
- Previously having gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than nine pounds
- Having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Being overweight or obese
- Being physically active less than three times per week
- Having prediabetes
- Having insulin resistance
- Having a hormone-related conditions like Cushing syndrome
Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes
Although 40.1 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes, it’s estimated that 11 million of those people are undiagnosed. Because there are so many undiagnosed cases of diabetes, it’s smart to recognize signs that could indicate diabetes, such as:
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Unusually intense fatigue
- Hunger and/or thirst that can’t be satisfied
- Increased number of infections, including on the gums and skin
- Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal
- Burn wounds (including those from heat, cold, or chemical sources)
- Weight loss (without trying)
- Prediabetes (indicated by a blood test)
- Ketones in the urine (found during a routine urine test)
Some diabetics don’t show any of these symptoms or may attribute them to another cause, so it’s important to ensure that you or your loved one receive annual checkups that could reveal the early stages of diabetes.
How to Treat Diabetes
Although diabetes can’t be cured, there are ways you or your loved one can manage this chronic condition to reduce its impact on your overall health and lifestyle.
Keep Regular Health Appointments
Regular doctor visits are important for diabetes management. During these appointments, your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels and overall health, modify medications as needed, and provide advice on how to better manage your condition. Be sure to share any questions or concerns about symptoms you’re experiencing as well. This can help your healthcare provider watch for and address any diabetes complications.
Take Prescribed Medications
Although type 1 diabetes is generally managed with injectable insulin, there’s a wider range of treatments for those with type 2 diabetes. Depending on your specific needs, you may take one or more of these medications—and your doctor may change your drugs as your diabetes progresses.
Treatment options continue to evolve as clinical research develops new ways to approach diabetes management, but these are some of the most common type 2 diabetes medications:
- Metformin
- Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors
- Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonists
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
- Sulfonylureas
- Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
Keep in mind that it’s important to follow instructions from your doctor and pharmacist when taking diabetes medications, and be sure to report any side effects to avoid potential complications.
Monitor Blood Sugar Levels
Consistently monitoring your glucose levels is essential for diabetes management. There are many glucose monitoring devices with easy-to-understand reports that can sync with your smartphone and medical records. This helps you and your healthcare provider track trends or changes in your blood sugar levels, which may result in a need to change or adjust medications.
Maintain a Nutritious Diet
Making healthy food choices is essential for diabetes management. Eating foods low in sugar and carbohydrates can help keep blood sugar levels within the normal range. It’s also important to eat nutritious foods, such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods that are high in fiber. Be mindful of portion sizes and avoid sugary snacks and drinks as much as possible, too.
Exercise Regularly
Consistent physical activity is essential for managing diabetes. Exercise helps to regulate blood sugar levels, reduce stress, and boost energy. Everyone, including older adults, should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, such as walking, swimming, or biking. If 30 minutes isn’t possible—or if you have mobility issues—it’s okay to start small and focus on gentle movement. It’s also a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Reduce Stress Levels
Prolonged and unchecked stress can contribute to high blood sugar levels and lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage. Finding ways to manage and reduce stress helps you better control your diabetes. Some techniques for reducing stress include meditation, yoga, journaling, talking to a therapist, and spending time with friends and family. Your doctor can also provide advice on managing stress levels.
How to Prevent Diabetes
Many of the lifestyle modifications that are used to treat type 2 diabetes also serve as good recommendations for preventing or delaying diabetes. Here are some of the lifestyle changes you or your loved one can take as preventive measures to reduce the chances of developing diabetes:
- Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes of moderate activity a day)
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Monitor glucose levels
- Eat a nutritious diet of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Reduce portion sizes
- Limit sugary foods and beverages
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Incorporate stress-management strategies
- Get plenty of sleep (at least 7-8 hours a day)
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes
How is diabetes diagnosed?
A variety of blood tests are used to identify type 2 diabetes. These include the A1C Test, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), and Random Blood Sugar Test. Additional tests are used to diagnose type 1 diabetes in children and young adults—these include a urine test (to check for ketones) and antibody (blood) tests.
Does eating too much sugar cause diabetes?
Eating a lot of sugar doesn’t directly cause diabetes. However, eating too much sugar—especially if you have other diabetes risk factors—can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes due to weight gain, fat accumulation (especially around the liver), and making the pancreas work harder.
Can diabetes be cured?
No, diabetes cannot be cured. However, diabetes can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes to minimize the impact it has on your overall quality of life.
Can you reverse diabetes?
It’s not possible to reverse diabetes, as diabetes doesn’t have a cure. That said, if you have prediabetes, you can make lifestyle changes to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes or slow its progression.
What foods should diabetics avoid?
People with diabetes—or those at risk for developing diabetes—should typically avoid foods with high levels of sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium. It’s recommended to focus on healthy carbohydrates (e.g., fruits, vegetables, whole grains), lean proteins (e.g., fish, poultry), and good fats (e.g., avocados, nuts).
BrightStar Care Can Support Diabetes Care at Home
Do you or a loved one need diabetes care support at home? BrightStar Care’s compassionate in-home caregivers and skilled nurses can help with meal planning and preparation, glucose monitoring, medication management, and other diabetes management needs.
If you need in-home care services, our local teams are ready to assist you. Find a BrightStar Care location near you, contact us online, or call us 24/7 at (844) 885-4723.