The Impact of Diabetes after Age 40
Diabetes cases are increasing at an alarming rate due to various reasons, including age, weight, family history, and lifestyle. It is a troublesome disorder that affects individuals of any race, age, and/or sex. The disorder is characterized by the production of more to no insulin in the body. The consequences of this disorder range from manageable to severe risks but extremity depends on age and sex. Age in the perception that, young people tend to handle diabetes than their old counterparts. It can actually be controlled if diagnosed and treated early.
Alternatively, diabetes tends to affect more females than men. That said, this article aims at evaluating the impact of diabetes after the age of 40.
- High blood pressure
People with diabetes type 2 have their body produce insulin that can’t be regulated well in the body. Abnormal production of insulin causes HDL (High-density lipoprotein) to decrease. Lower HDL means that destructive blood fats referred to as triglycerides will increase. Resistance insulin also accord to narrow and hardened arteries, which causes the blood pressure to rise.
Furthermore, individuals with diabetes possess hypertension, which is a risk factor for other issues like heart disease, stroke, and memory loss.
- Brain problems
Research has that individuals with diabetes are reported to have issues with the flow of blood to their brains. This seems to be real because people with diabetes lose their mental ability with age. These people find it challenging to organize, prioritize, plan, remember things, and pay attention to anything. This issue can be controlled by staying active mentally and physically.
- Hearing loss
Although people lose hearing as they get old, hearing loss is more severe in an individual with diabetes. What happens is that diabetes destroys nerves and small blood vessels inside the ear. This issue can be solved by ensuring the level of your blood sugar is in check.
- Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a severe issue affecting up to 50% of individuals with diabetes. What happens is that the throat muscles relax abnormally preventing the airway while sleeping. If you have audible snoring, it can be a great sign of sleep apnea. Regrettably, if not treated, sleep apnea can worsen the control of diabetes.
- Vision issues
Research has that approximately 1 in 3 individuals with diabetes and over 40 is at the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Alternatively, diabetes can destroy light-sensitive tissue. This can occur due to increased blood glucose levels in the body.
- Kidney failure
Living with diabetes for a long time causes glucose levels in the blood to thicken. It also scars the nephrons that help filter or clean your blood. Many people have protein in their urine and this can be a good indicator of kidney failure. If you don’t consider taking the right measure, diabetic people can sustain this issue for up to 10 years. This will deteriorate your kidney resulting in a kidney transplant or dialysis.
Conclusion
Managing diabetes is challenging, especially after age 40. The secret to controlling it is diagnosing it earlier before it initiates other complications. Whatever your approach, the objective is always the same: to live healthy, long, and fulfilling life no matter the disorder.
