People get diabetes when their blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. The good news is that you can take steps to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of the disease to develop in older adults.May 1, 2019

What kind of diabetes does an older person have?

• In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin. Although older adults can develop this type of diabetes, it begins most often in children and young adults, who then have diabetes for life. In Type 2 diabetes, the body does not make or use insulin well. It is the most common kind of diabetes.

What’s worse type 1 or type 2 diabetic?

Type 2 diabetes is often milder than type 1 . But it can still cause major health complications, especially in the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys, nerves, and eyes. Type 2 also raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.

What causes type 1 diabetes in older adults?

Type 1 diabetes typically begins in childhood, but also may first begin in adulthood . This form is typically caused by an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks cells that make insulin.

Is type 2 diabetes more common with age?

You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age , even during childhood. However, type 2 diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are age 45 or older, have a family history of diabetes , or are overweight or obese.

How many older adults have type 2 diabetes?

The ADA says that half of Americans 65 and older have prediabetes, which means that nearly 25 million seniors are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes . That is a staggeringly high number, given that another 25 percent of the senior population already has diabetes .

Can Type 2 diabetes go away?

Although there’s no cure for type 2 diabetes , studies show it’s possible for some people to reverse it. Through diet changes and weight loss, you may be able to reach and hold normal blood sugar levels without medication. This doesn’t mean you’re completely cured. Type 2 diabetes is an ongoing disease.

Can diabetes go away?

No cure for diabetes currently exists, but the disease can go into remission. When diabetes goes into remission, it means that the body does not show any signs of diabetes , although the disease is technically still present.

What is the life expectancy of someone with type 1 diabetes?

Upon analysis, investigators found the average person with type 1 diabetes was 42.8 years of age and had a life expectancy from now of 32.6 years. In comparison, people the same age without diabetes were expected to live 40.2 years from now.

How do most Type 1 diabetics die?

Most people with type 1 diabetes die from complications of type 1 diabetes such as heart disease or kidney disease. Thus, preventing complications and following a healthy lifestyle that prevents heart disease and controls blood sugar are the best things people with type 1 diabetes can do to live a long, healthy life.

Does Type 1 diabetes get worse with age?

About 1 in 4 adults over age 60 have diabetes . Having the disease makes you more likely to get some serious complications. And so does getting older. The combination of the two can even make some health problems worse .

What is the life expectancy of someone with diabetes type 2?

Life Expectancy With Type 2 Diabetes More than 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 . Type 2 diabetes is more frequently diagnosed in adulthood than childhood. According to some estimates, having type 2 diabetes can shorten your life by about 10 years.

What is normal blood sugar for seniors?

Normal blood sugar levels are less than 100 mg/dL after not eating (fasting) for at least eight hours. And they’re less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. During the day, levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals.

What happens if you don’t treat diabetes type 2?

If type 2 diabetes goes untreated, the high blood sugar can affect various cells and organs in the body. Complications include kidney damage, often leading to dialysis, eye damage, which could result in blindness, or an increased risk for heart disease or stroke.

What is a good number for type 2 diabetes?

A reading of less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If your fasting blood sugar is 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes . Oral glucose tolerance test.

What is the highest blood sugar level that is safe?

The highest blood sugar level that’s considered safe will depend on the person and whether they have diabetes , but will typically be between 160 to 240 mg/dL.

Why is type 2 diabetes bad?

Type 2 diabetes is bad for many reasons. High glucose levels damage nerve and blood vessels, leading to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and gum infections. Advanced type 2 diabetes can result in blindness and the need to amputate limbs that no longer get adequate circulation.