Some of us think that developing "sugar disease" or diabetes as we age is normal and cannot be stopped. True, age is a major factor affecting diabetes. But this is not a disease limited to the elderly. The sad thing is, in recent times, we have seen this disease spreading rapidly among our young children. So today, let's talk about the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes and age.
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Why does the risk of diabetes increase with age?
Simply put, type 2 diabetes is a disease caused by a combination of our genes and our lifestyle. Things like weight gain, obesity, high blood pressure, and lack of exercise directly affect it.
Often these symptoms appear very slowly. You may have had diabetes for years and not be aware of it. You may even miss them because the symptoms appear gradually.
Usually, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes increases dramatically in middle age, between the ages of 45 and 65. This risk increases even more after the age of 65. According to surveys, about one in four people over the age of 65 have diabetes. In addition, there are also a number of people who have not been diagnosed with the disease. So you can imagine how common this is among older people.
The important thing is that diabetes is not a normal part of aging. It is something we can prevent and control.
Keep an eye out for symptoms!
Because these symptoms come and go, many people ignore them. They just think, "I'm just feeling a little tired these days." But if you have one or more of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor for advice.
| Symptom | How are you feeling? |
|---|---|
| Frequent thirst | My mouth feels dry more often than before, and no matter how much water I drink, it doesn't seem to be enough. |
| Frequent urination | Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night. |
| Blurred vision | My vision is getting a little blurry. I suddenly feel like I need to wear glasses. |
| Numbness in the limbs | The tips of the fingers, toes, and soles of the feet feel numb and like they are being bitten by ants. |
| Feeling tired for no reason | Even without any special exertion, the body constantly feels tired and lifeless. |
This has now become a threat to young people too!
Although it used to be called "adult-onset diabetes," the situation is completely different now. The incidence of this disease has also increased rapidly among our young children, that is, those aged 10-14 years.
Researchers believe that childhood obesity and lack of exercise are the main reasons for this. Instead of running around and playing like they used to, our children now spend more time in front of their phones, tablets, and TVs. Along with this, addiction to fast food and sugary drinks has also been a big reason for this. Therefore, if a child is overweight or has other risk factors for diabetes, doctors are now screening them for diabetes from as young as 10 years old.
Is the risk higher if you have it at a younger age?
Yes. This is a very important point that we all need to understand.
Simply put, the younger you are when you develop diabetes, the more damage it can do to your health in the long term.
When comparing people who developed diabetes before the age of 40 with those who developed it later, the following things have been observed:
- Damage to the insulin-producing beta cells in our body is accelerating.
- The longer you live with the disease, the higher the risk of complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, and neurological problems.
- The life expectancy may be relatively short .
Also, as you age, you may develop other diseases in addition to diabetes, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This can make it even harder to control your diabetes. Also, hypoglycemia, a condition in which blood sugar levels suddenly drop, is common among older diabetics. Symptoms such as dizziness and confusion can become more severe as you age.
So, what should we do?
The good news is that this is something we can control. Some risk factors we can't change. For example:
- If anyone in your family has diabetes.
- If your mother had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
- Your genetic background.
But, there are many things we can change!
Diabetes can be prevented, controlled, and in some cases even reversed to some extent with healthy habits.
- Lose extra weight: It is very important to lose belly fat, especially if you have it around your stomach.
- Exercise: Do something simple like walking for at least 30 minutes a day. Make this a habit at least 5 days a week.
- Eat a healthy diet: Reduce sugar, salt, processed foods, packaged foods, and saturated fats. Instead, eat more dark green leafy vegetables, fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish and chicken .
- If you smoke, stop today: Smoking increases both the risk of diabetes and its side effects.
By incorporating these habits into your life, you will be able to live a healthy life, no matter your age. If you have any doubts, the best thing to do is to talk to your family doctor, that is, your doctor .
💡 Take-Home Message
- Although Type 2 Diabetes is more common as we age, it is not a normal part of aging. It can be prevented.
- Be aware of symptoms like frequent thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and numbness in the limbs. Don't ignore them.
- Getting diabetes at a young age can be more harmful in the long run, so it's important to take care of your lifestyle from a young age.
- Diabetes can be prevented by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly , controlling your weight, and avoiding smoking.
- If you are at risk for diabetes or have symptoms, see your doctor immediately for advice.
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