Are you a diabetic, a little older? Or does your mother, father, grandmother, grandfather have diabetes? We all know how important it is to keep our blood sugar levels within the right range. But did you know that sometimes, when we try to control our sugar levels too hard, it actually does more harm than good? This is what we are talking about today.
Overtreatment can be fatal
Doctors recommend that most people with diabetes maintain a healthy HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) test , which measures average blood sugar levels over the past few months. This is because high blood sugar levels over a long period of time, known as hyperglycemia , can be very harmful to the body. This can lead to serious long-term complications such as decreased brain function, damage to internal organs, and heart disease.
But the important point here is that these long-term complications usually take 10 years or more to develop. This period can be longer than the remaining life expectancy of an elderly patient, especially with other diseases.
However, a condition called hypoglycemia , which causes blood sugar levels to drop too low, can have much more immediate effects. This risk increases with age. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to dangerous falls, hospitalizations, and even death .
A recent study found that one-third of adults who had a severe hypoglycemic episode died within three years of the event. This means that hypoglycemia is a much more dangerous condition than we think.
Why does the risk of low blood sugar increase with age?
Simply put, it's because of changes in our bodies. As we age, our metabolism changes. Insulin resistance can increase. Also, the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin may not be able to respond as quickly to changes in blood sugar levels.
Let's focus on preventing sugar drop
Many people with diabetes are advised to keep their A1c levels below 7%. Sometimes this goal doesn't change even with age, lifestyle, and health conditions.
Let's think about Aunt Kamala. She is now 71 years old. She has had diabetes since she was in her 40s. She also had these strict goals. She often had hypoglycemic episodes, especially in the middle of the night or early in the morning. By the time she realized it, her blood sugar levels had dropped significantly.
"It was a very intense experience," says Aunt Kamala. " My heart was beating fast, I was sweating, and I felt dizzy. "
Older adults are more likely to miss these symptoms of low blood sugar because some of the symptoms, such as fatigue, irritability, pale skin, and headaches, can be easily mistaken for other illnesses or as normal aging.
How to manage sugar levels without increasing medication?
Even though Kamala found a medication plan that suited her, her blood sugar levels started to come under control even before that. The secret was diet and exercise .
A personalized diet plan from a qualified dietitian and regular exercise helped him lose a lot of weight.
There is no one-size-fits-all diet plan. A nutritionist will take into account your lifestyle, lab reports, and likes and dislikes to create a plan that is specific to you.
When we exercise, our muscles become stronger. The more muscle mass we have, the faster our metabolism will be, which will help us control our blood sugar levels. Therefore, even as we age, we can maintain a healthy lifestyle and control our body.
Rejecting the 'one size fits all' approach
Because of these facts, even major medical organizations like the American Diabetes Association have recently updated their recommendations for adults. Accordingly, their recommendations are as follows:
| Health status of the elderly patient | Recommended A1c target |
|---|---|
| Healthy, active adults | Less than 7.5% |
| People in moderate health with other illnesses | Less than 8.0% |
| People with multiple illnesses, poor health, or limited life expectancy | A1c targets should not be relied upon alone. The primary goal of treatment should be to reduce symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. |
Imagine, for example, an 86-year-old man named Siripala. His A1c was a little over 7. Although the doctor wanted to give him medication, his caregivers decided to change his diet and take him for short walks every day. Surprisingly, his blood sugar levels returned to normal without much change.
As we age, when we plan treatment, it is important to prioritize the patient's comfort over strict control.
Speak for yourself.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to be the pilot of your own health. Let's recall the story of Kamala Aunty. A few years ago, she asked her doctor about a `Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)` , which would allow her to check her sugar levels in real time without having to prick her finger. But the doctor discouraged it.
"So I switched doctors," says Kamala. Now that she has a CGM, she can make the necessary changes quickly, and her sugar levels are more stable now.
"Find a doctor who understands what your body is feeling."
If you feel like your doctor isn't listening to you, don't be afraid to see a different doctor. What works for one person may not work for everyone. Everyone should talk to their doctor and develop a treatment plan that works for them, their lifestyle, and their health goals.
Take-Home Message
- For adult diabetics, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can be more immediate and dangerous than high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
- Not all adults with diabetes need to maintain strict A1c targets (<7%). It can be dangerous.
- The treatment plan should not be "one size fits all." It should be tailored specifically to you, based on your age, overall health, and lifestyle.
- Diet and exercise are two powerful tools that are second to none in terms of medicine.
- Talk openly with your doctor about your health goals, concerns, and opinions. Advocate for yourself.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න