Diabetes Awareness for Seniors Part 2 - Diagnosis and Evaluation from Right At Home High Point

Possible symptoms of diabetes include the following:

• increased thirst
• increased urination
• weight loss
• fatigue
• loss of vitality
• wounds that heal slowly
• foot sores
• numbness or tingling in the feet
• confusion
• depression

Not everyone with diabetes shows these symptoms, and some people with diabetes go for years without any obvious symptoms. This is especially true for older adults, who often do not have the increased thirst and urination that is common younger people with diabetes. In fact, it is estimated that up to one-third of older adults with diabetes are unaware of their condition. Unfortunately, asymptomatic diabetes (diabetes without showing symptoms) is still associated with increased risk for many serious illnesses. This is why blood glucose tests are so important. They are the only way to know for sure whether or not you have diabetes.

Blood glucose testing

Blood glucose is measured in units called mg/dL. The normal level of blood glucose is around 100 mg/dL. To check for diabetes, blood glucose levels are usually measured after an 8-hour fast (ie, no food for 8 hours). If two fasting blood glucose measurements are at or above 126 mg/dL, diabetes is diagnosed. Diabetes can also be diagnosed if you are showing symptoms along with having a random (not fasted) blood glucose level at or above 200 mg/dL. Sometimes, more sophisticated tests (eg, glucose tolerance test) are needed to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes.

Drug reactions can sometimes cause high blood glucose or lead to complications, so it is a good idea to give your health care providers a complete list of all medications that you are taking. It helps to put all of your medications (including over-the-counter drugs) in a bag and take it to your doctor’s appointment. This "brown bag" inventory allows your physician to see all the drugs you are taking, and to remove medications that you no longer need or are inappropriate for any reason (eg, expired drug).

Complications of diabetes

Symptoms or signs of serious health conditions that are often caused by diabetes include the following:

• heart disease
• blood vessel problems (eg, narrowed arteries)
• nerve problems
• foot problems
• eye problems (including blindness)
• kidney problems

Because heart problems are so common with diabetes, your healthcare provider will likely ask about and check for other conditions that can also cause heart trouble, such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and family history.

Although there is no cure for diabetes, it is very manageable. There are three main goals of diabetes management among older adults:

• control high blood glucose and its symptoms
• prevent the complications caused by diabetes (eg, kidney disease, heart disease, eye problems, etc)
• identify and treat any complications

Complications of diabetes can also be decreased by controlling other risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Preventing and managing risk factors for heart disease in older adults with diabetes is especially important. These include the following:

• Maintain appropriate weight
• Increase physical activity
• Stop smoking
• Limit fat and carbohydrate intake
• Consider drug therapy to treat high blood pressure, prevent heart attack, or treat high cholesterol or blood lipids

Right At Home Winston-Salem can provide you the support you need to prevent and help care for your family members with diabetes or diabetic symptoms. If your loved one has special needs, Right At Home can work with you and your health care provider to provide the care needed.