Type 2 Diabetes - Finding Prediabetes in Older People
Prediabetes is the condition most people have before they develop full-blown Type 2 diabetes.
People with prediabetes have higher blood sugar than normal but it's not high enough to be considered diabetes.
They also don't have any of the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.
Finding out you have prediabetes is a call to action - it's a chance to change your unhealthy habits, get your blood sugar under control and avoid going on to develop diabetes.
But, many people don't know they have prediabetes.
The problem is especially prevalent in older people.
One reason for this is the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases with age.
The risk first increases around age 45, then at age 65 the risk becomes greater.
About 25% of Americans over the age of 60 have this form of diabetes.
There are many physical changes taking place as our bodies age and some of these changes can make it hard to notice symptoms associated with Type 2 diabetes.
For example, dry skin can be common as people age.
But it can also be a symptom of diabetes.
This is because when blood sugar levels stay high for a long period of time, our kidneys pull moisture from our skin and other areas of the body to create more urine and get rid of the excess sugar.
So it can be hard to tell if symptoms are caused by aging or by diabetes.
To prevent prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, older adults should be encouraged to...
Even a 30 minute walk most days of the week will help prevent high blood sugar levels.
Eating a diet that eliminates most simple sugars and focuses on...
For those who are overweight, losing even a small amount of weight will help reduce the risk - losing 10 to 15 pounds can make a big difference.
Having blood tests carried out regularly is important.
Prediabetes can be diagnosed by three different tests...
People with prediabetes have higher blood sugar than normal but it's not high enough to be considered diabetes.
They also don't have any of the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.
Finding out you have prediabetes is a call to action - it's a chance to change your unhealthy habits, get your blood sugar under control and avoid going on to develop diabetes.
But, many people don't know they have prediabetes.
The problem is especially prevalent in older people.
One reason for this is the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases with age.
The risk first increases around age 45, then at age 65 the risk becomes greater.
About 25% of Americans over the age of 60 have this form of diabetes.
There are many physical changes taking place as our bodies age and some of these changes can make it hard to notice symptoms associated with Type 2 diabetes.
For example, dry skin can be common as people age.
But it can also be a symptom of diabetes.
This is because when blood sugar levels stay high for a long period of time, our kidneys pull moisture from our skin and other areas of the body to create more urine and get rid of the excess sugar.
So it can be hard to tell if symptoms are caused by aging or by diabetes.
To prevent prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, older adults should be encouraged to...
- exercise,
- eat a healthy diet, and
- manage their weight.
Even a 30 minute walk most days of the week will help prevent high blood sugar levels.
Eating a diet that eliminates most simple sugars and focuses on...
- fruits and vegetables,
- whole grains,
- lean meat, and
- low-fat dairy
For those who are overweight, losing even a small amount of weight will help reduce the risk - losing 10 to 15 pounds can make a big difference.
Having blood tests carried out regularly is important.
Prediabetes can be diagnosed by three different tests...
- Fasting blood sugar of 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.
6 to 6.
9 mmol/L).
This test measures your blood sugar level when you've fasted, meaning you haven't had anything to eat or drink for at least eight hours. - OGTT 2-hour blood glucose of 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.
8 to 11 mmol/L).
This test, also known as the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, measures your blood sugar before and two hours after you drink a special sweetened drink.
It shows how your body processes sugar. - Hemoglobin A1C of 5.
7 to 6.
4.
This test measures your average blood sugar over the previous two to three months.
You don't have to fast or eat anything special for this test.