Diabetes in the elderly.
Many people successfully live to 70, 80
and 90 years, but, unfortunately, among them the frequent incidence of
type II diabetes. It has been estimated that almost half of Americans
with Type II diabetes is a disease develops after 60 years, and one in
five aged 65 years. Basically, here we are talking about type II
diabetes.
But in those communities that are at
risk of developing type II diabetes, for example, the Spaniards and
Americans of African origin, these proportions are higher as well, among
them one of the three ill with type II diabetes after 65 years. In
addition, much is changing with age: the pancreas produces less insulin,
increases insulin resistance, disturbed metabolism.
The deterioration diabetes observed
angry elderly people suffering from obesity, smoking, sedentary
lifestyle, not diet. High blood pressure, characteristic of many elderly
people, also complicates the control of diabetes, causing
complications. In addition, they have to take a large amount of drugs
against various diseases, and the interactions of some of them may also
be negative.
Older people quickly develop
complications, most often occurs due to the late detection of diabetes.
These complications are more serious, compared with complications
developing in relatively young people. Reduced physical and mental
abilities will also complicate control of diabetes.
But despite all this, the goal in the
treatment of type II diabetes in older people remains the same – to
improve the quality of life and reduction of diabetic complications.
However, many doctors agree that if older people need more
individualized treatment approach; the treatment should take into
account the social status of the patient’s overall health and, of
course, wish to cooperate with the doctor and to participate directly in
the treatment of their illness.
In most cases it is better to start
treatment with diet and small doses of exercise that will help, if not
eliminate, insulin, and then at least reduce the dose.
