Diabetes is a condition which affects blood-sugar levels in people of all ages. However, more than 25% of Indian senior citizens are diabetic. Over 6% of Indians suffer from this lifestyle disease, while around one-quarter of people have high blood pressure, a survey revealed. “In middle-age to senior citizens across all geographic settings and socioeconomic groups in the country, the prevalence of both diabetes and hypertension were disturbingly high,” stated an editorial by Alka Kanaya of the University of California, San Francisco.
India has a huge potential to generate opportunities for healthy living but let us see how you can deal with diabetes as a senior citizen.
Treating Diabetes As A Senior Citizen
Diabetes is a lifelong condition which requires continuous treatment. The chances of getting type 2 diabetes increase with our age. However, you can take care of your condition by sticking to your meal plans, exercise and medications.
Eating Healthy:
The ideal way is to consult a dietician and get your meal plans chalked out. Now, your duty is to strictly stick to these meal plans. Senior Citizens are prone to have lower blood sugar levels and should take 10-20 grams carbohydrates (eat 3-4 biscuits, 1 cup juice etc), when there is a drop in the levels. When you have diabetes as a senior citizen, you should avoid sugar (even natural sugar from fruits). In order to maintain your level, you must also avoid saturated fats.
Exercise For Dealing With Diabetes As A Senior Citizen:
A regular exercise regime helps keep your sugar levels in check. Exercise helps in regulating glucose levels and manages your weight. For a senior citizen, it is important that the exercise regime is tailored to fit individual requirements and takes in count any health conditions.
For dealing with diabetes as a senior citizen, your exercise routine should be a combination of:
- Flexibility exercises
- Balance exercises
- Strength training exercises
- Endurance exercises
Your routine should contain aerobic exercises like walking, swimming and bicycling for 30 minutes every day for 4-5 days every week.
Keep A Tab Of Your Medications:
Sugar levels can be controlled with proper medications. Diagnosis is a little tricky in senior citizens as the elderly display symptoms of diabetes even though it might not be diabetes. Main causes of diabetes in seniors is high Blood Pressure, LDL cholesterol and a decrease in energy levels due to ageing. Consult a good doctor for proper diagnosis and follow the medications regularly.
Regular Check-ups:
Get regular overall health checks. Get your blood pressure, glucose, insulin and cholesterol checked regularly, often in a day. You should also make sure your vaccines, tests, and other check-ups are up-to-date, in order to avoid contacting any other ailments.
With these measures, you can deal with diabetes as a senior citizen or if you know someone going through the same.
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