Twenty-nine million Americans currently have diabetes but unfortunately 28% of the cases are undiagnosed. Twenty-six percent of all seniors (11 million) have diabetes and that number is growing at an alarming rate. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the US but many other death certificates will list diabetes as an underlying factor.  

3 Main Types of Diabetes

1. Type 1 Diabetes is commonly known as “insulin dependent” diabetes, which used to be called “juvenile diabetes”. The cause is unknown and is usually controlled by injectable insulin. There are now more choices for patients like an implantable insulin pump under the skin. 
2. Type 2 Diabetes is usually controlled by diet, exercise, testing, prescription pills and is the fastest growing of the two types. The primary cause of Type 2 is excessive body weight and lack of exercise. Symptoms can include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and weight loss. 
3. Gestational Diabetes: This can occur in pregnant women and almost always goes away when the pregnancy is completed.

Complications of Diabetes

1. Heart Disease – high blood pressure, heart attacks
2. Amputations – toes, feet, and legs are the most prevalent
3. Damage to the eyes – blindness possible
4. Kidneys – chronic kidney disease
5. Diabetic Neuropathy – numbness, tingling sensations and skin damage.

Action Step: Each patient is different but sometimes seniors just do not believe they have diabetes. In their minds, if you don’t have to take daily insulin injections then you do not have to worry about it. 

Golden Nugget: Type 2 Diabetes – When discussing my father-in-law’s type 2 diabetes, his physician told him to think of a plate divided into four equal parts. On the left side of the plate were sections for diet and exercise and on the right the sections were testing and drugs. He emphasized that all four sections are important and he can’t just rely upon the drugs to lead a normal life.