Type 2 Diabetes and Senior Citizens' Health

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that affects many millions of people Worldwide. For every two people that have the condition, another five are at risk of developing it. Moreover, the onset of type 2 diabetes usually comes later in life so senior citizens are particularly at risk of developing the condition. One in five of the population of the United States that are aged over 60 has the condition.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which your body does not properly control the amount of glucose in your blood stream, which results in you having elevated blood sugar levels. This is because your body is not producing enough insulin on its own, or if your body is not properly using the insulin it does produce. Left unchecked, diabetes can have serious complications, some of which can be life threatening. Diabetes is the main cause of blindness in adults of working age.


Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. 95% of all people diagnosed with diabetes have type 2.

What are the causes of type 2 diabetes?

Other than for those who are genetically predisposed to developing the condition, this form of diabetes is a result of poor life style choices over many years. These include being over weight or obese, having a poor diet, and having an inactive life style. It is little wonder that so many senior citizens have the condition and many more are at risk of developing it.

What are the symptoms?

Type 2 diabetes is often not diagnosed until the condition has already developed. Sufferers experience some or all of the following symptoms, but they are not immediately noticeable as they occur gradually:

* Increased Thirst
* Increased hunger
* Dry mouth
* Frequent urination
* Impaired vision
* Fatigue
* Headaches
* Slow healing sores or cuts
* Itchy skin
* Decreased vision
* Impotency
* Frequent yeast infections
* Numbness or tingling in the hands, legs or feet

It is estimated that as many as half of all people with the condition are unaware that they have it. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you should seek medical advice.

How to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Life style factors play a role in the development of this condition. Adopting a healthy diet, becoming more active and losing weight will reduce your insulin resistance and can, over time; even reverse the effects of the condition.

Making simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly improvement the management of your condition and may even prevent you from developing type 2 diabetes.