According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37.3 million Americans are suffering from diabetes, which is about 1 in 10 individuals. At the same time, 96 million American adults have prediabetes, and most don’t even know they have it. For those seeking diabetes prevention tips, you’ve come to the right place.
What is Diabetes?
Most of what we consume is broken down into glucose in the bloodstream. To allow glucose to serve its purpose, being our energy source, the body needs to produce enough insulin, a hormone, to transfer the converted glucose into our cells. This happens easily in the body of a healthy individual. However, those suffering from Diabetes will experience an interference where their body is hindered from properly producing enough insulin, affecting its ability to process the sugars they eat. This results in increased blood sugar levels in the body and various other health effects. There are two types of diabetes – type 1 being when your body is unable to produce enough insulin, and type 2 diabetes where the insulin in your body cannot effectively manage your blood glucose levels.
Common Causes and Symptoms of Diabetes in Older Adults
Here are a few factors that can elevate an individual’s risk of developing old-age diabetes:
- Gestational diabetes – If you’ve developed this while pregnant, you could be at risk of developing prediabetes as well as type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure – Having a high blood pressure of over 140/90 millimeters of mercury is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Being overweight – The more fatty tissue one has, the more resistant your cells become to insulin.
- Lack of physical exercise – Physical activity controls your weight as it will convert glucose to energy more frequently, making your cells more sensitive to insulin.
Diabetes Prevention Tips
The number of older adults who suffer from some form of diabetes is expected to steadily increase over the years. To prevent developing this condition in old age, here are some things you could do:
- Educating yourself – There may be new symptoms, medical needs, and risk factors a person may have when it comes to developing diabetes, which is why it is vital for older adults to be aware of what the condition means, its symptoms, and how to prevent it.
- Eat a balanced diet – As one’s diet plays a huge role in preventing diabetes, a nutritious diet low in sugar is excellent for reducing any symptoms of this condition. Take note that some fruits contain high levels of sugar and saturated fats.
- Get active – If the recommended 30 minutes of exercise per day is not possible, shorter periods of activity done throughout the day can still be helpful in preventing diabetes when done regularly.
Why Choose TerraBella Northridge?
Retirement communities offer the opportunity of having an endless list of activities planned out for you right at your doorstep. At TerraBella Northridge, forging new friendships while keeping your calendar busy has never been easier. Our top-notch amenities, programs, and services are also designed to keep your lifestyle with us maintenance-free, so you’ll get to engage in the activities you enjoy rather than spend time doing mundane tasks.
If you have any inquiries about our range of services, do contact us today at 984-231-6041.
