Age Related Diabetes Symptoms | Diabetes Elderly Complications

Do you think you are at risk of developing diabetes later in life? Learn more about age related diabetes symptoms.

While the average life expectancy is on the rise, medical experts believe so is the presence of diabetes as a form of disease that can appear as we get older. Age related diabetes symptoms can be somewhat different from ones experienced while younger, and special considerations should be taken in the case of the senior population.

This special consideration is – in part – because of the possibility of diabetes elderly complications that can come with a more advanced age. Naturally, our bodies and our physiology changes the older we get, so it’s only logical that our system becomes more vulnerable when faced with certain diseases.

These natural changes have a significant impact in how someone can suddenly readjust their lifestyle when diagnosed with diabetes in their old age.

Signs of geriatric diabetes can also be more complex because elderly citizens are frailer; this, unfortunately, is what leads to the higher risk of diabetes elderly complications. In many ways, developing diabetes later in life can also result in the appearance of physiological distress, depression, less social interactions, anxiety, etc.

Age related diabetes symptoms that may arise and point to the presence of the disease include:

Weight loss: someone experiencing diabetes in their senior year often will experience weight loss as their body uses alternative fuel stored in muscle and fat to make up for the absence of glucose.
Fatigue: if the cells in your body are deprived of sugar (energy), you become more irritable and lethargic than usual.
Increased thirst: the fluid being pulled up from your tissues causes you to feel even more thirsty and dehydrated, thus feeling a stronger and more frequent need to drink water.
Blurred vision: in part caused by the same fluid absence once its pulled from your tissue, hydration is captured from the lenses of your eyes, leading to inability to focus.

While these signs of geriatric diabetes are not too complex, it is important to get a check-up with your Doctor and a Diabetes Specialist if one or more are occurring.

It’s important to understand that although the symptoms may easily be dismissed as something not important, because of the potential risk of diabetes elderly complications, it is best to get a prompt diagnosed from someone with the proper knowledge.

In addition to the above-mentioned signs of geriatric diabetes, the special considerations necessary to avoid further complications is a significant step to prevent deterioration of your health.

Knowing that after 45 years of age, the chances of developing diabetes increase because the natural progression of our lifestyle; we may be inclined to exercise less, eat without serious limits, we may gain weight and even lose muscle mass.

So, if these are just occurrences that we can classify as somewhat normal and even expected with age, what are the true diabetes elderly complications we want to avoid at all costs?

Complications that are far more common on elderly patients with diabetes include hypoglycemia, eye damage, foot damage, hearing loss, vision impairment, etc.

In addition to the well-known complications that can arise from diabetes (skin problems, sores, heart and blood vessel disease, etc.) elderly patients also have a greater chance of developing:

Neuropathy: nerve damage can occur because excess sugar injures the walls of the blood vessels that nourish our nerves, which can lead to an unpleasant tingling sensation, numbness, burning or pain, and eventually even loss of all sense of feeling.
Nephropathy: because diabetes can damage our kidneys filtering system leading to failure of the organ and even to a end-stage kidney disease.
Alzheimer’s: this cognitive disease is a serious threat to the elderly population that suffers from diabetes; a poor or incorrect management of blood sugar control, brings with it a greater possibility of the disease appearing.

If you believe that you may be suffering from any of these age related diabetes symptoms make an appointment with your Doctor and Specialist right away to get the proper medical diagnosis and guidance, into a treatment that will suit your needs and help you live a better life.