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Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Diabetes is sometimes referred to as a “silent” disease because people may not show any signs or symptoms. Symptoms of diabetes can include excessive thirst, frequent urination, being very hungry, feeling tired, weight loss without trying, the appearance of sores that heal slowly, having dry and itchy skin, loss of feeling or tingling in feet, and blurry eyesight. Still, some people with diabetes do not experience any of these symptoms.

Symptoms for Type 2 diabetes develop gradually, while Type 1 diabetes develops more quickly.

Doctors use different tests to diagnose diabetes. Tests to diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetes include the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). If any of these tests show that you might have diabetes, your doctor will need to repeat the fasting plasma glucose test or the oral glucose tolerance test on a different day to confirm the diagnosis.

Since Type 2 diabetes is more common in senior citizens, especially in people who are overweight, doctors recommend that anyone 45 years of age or older be tested for diabetes. If you are 45 or older and overweight, getting tested is strongly recommended.

Older adults are at a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, particularly if they are overweight. Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to pain, disability, and death. Sometimes people have symptoms but do not suspect diabetes. They may delay scheduling a checkup because they do not feel sick. Often times, people are not diagnosed with diabetes until they experience one of its complications, such as heart trouble or difficulty seeing. Early detection can prevent or delay such complications, making checkups extremely important. Extensive research is being conducted to find ways to treat diabetes.

Risk Factors

Type 1 diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is the result of the body’s immune system turning against part of its own body.

Currently, it is unclear what causes the body’s immune system to turn on itself and destroy the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, but it is known that there are genetic and environmental factors, such as viruses, involved in the development of Type 1 diabetes. Researchers are working to identify these factors and prevent Type 1 diabetes in those at risk. Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Being overweight can contribute to one’s body using insulin incorrectly.

Other risk factors include:

Having a family history of diabetes, heart disease, or gestational diabetes.
An inactive lifestyle

Prevention

Moderate changes in lifestyle can help prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes in those at risk. Here are some helpful tips:

Maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight has many negative effects on one’s health and can prevent the body from using insulin properly. It also can contribute to high blood pressure. Research shows that even a moderate amount of weight loss can reduce one’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Make healthy food choices. What we put into our bodies has big consequences on our health and our bodily functions. Eating healthy helps control body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Be active. Find a physical activity you enjoy and that gets your heart pumping. Some activities to try include walking briskly, dancing, or yard work. Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. Research shows that this helps to reduce the risk for Type 2 diabetes.

For more help with elder care, including more information on diabetes and other conditions, visit www.TheCaringSpace.com.

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