Signs an Older Adult May Have Diabetes

Diabetes is an all to common disease in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30.3 million people in the United States have diabetes, but 7.2 million of them have not been diagnosed. One of the risk factors for diabetes is age. If you are concerned about whether an older adult in your life may have diabetes, it can be helpful to be aware of the symptoms. Below are common symptoms of diabetes to watch for.

Frequent Urination and Thirst

Normally, people urinate between four and seven times in a day. However, people with diabetes often go a lot more often. Because they are losing so much water through urination, they may feel very thirsty. This happens because the kidneys aren’t able to keep up with the higher levels of glucose, so it is flushed out in the urine. Of course, creating urine requires fluids, so the kidney draws more fluid out of the body’s tissues. These dehydrated tissues require more fluids, which makes the person thirsty.

Feelings of Fatigue

A person with diabetes may feel very tired. This can be caused by dehydration, but may also be caused by the body being unable to appropriately use sugar for energy. When the body doesn’t make enough insulin or cannot use insulin, glucose cannot get into the cells to fuel them.

Blurry Vision

The dehydration that comes with diabetes can cause blurry vision. This is because fluid that is drawn from the tissues can come from the lenses of the eyes, making it harder to focus. Also, diabetes can cause additional blood vessels to grow in the retina, and damage the existing blood vessels. Left untreated, a person can experience significant vision loss, or even blindness.

Unexpected Weight Loss

The loss of sugar through frequent urination also makes the body lose calories. The loss of calories can lead to rapid weight loss. However, weight fluctuations can also be a symptom of diabetes, since diabetes can cause feelings of hunger, which may make the person eat more.

If your aging relative is diagnosed with diabetes, a home care provider can help them to manage the condition. Home care providers can remind diabetics to check their blood sugar level and take prescribed medications. Home care providers can also help prepare healthy meals and snacks according to their meal plan. Home care providers can even drive the older adult to appointments with their doctor, dietician, or other members of their health care team.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/understanding-diabetes-symptoms#1

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-symptoms/art-20044248

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/symptoms/?loc=db-slabnav

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/risk-factors-type-2-diabetes

If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home care services in Wallingford, CT, please contact the caring staff at Franciscan Ever There Care. Call today 203-630-2881.