{"id":2266,"date":"2025-11-25T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitewph-f268b38f3b-d4dedeatbthag3cn.a03.azurefd.net\/2025\/11\/25\/diabetes-in-older-adults-what-you-should-know-to-prevent-complications\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T12:18:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T17:18:11","slug":"diabetes-in-older-adults-what-you-should-know-to-prevent-complications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/2025\/11\/25\/diabetes-in-older-adults-what-you-should-know-to-prevent-complications\/","title":{"rendered":"Diabetes in older adults: what you should know to prevent complications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

Type 2 diabetes<\/strong> has become a growing challenge for millions of people, especially in older adulthood. Although it is a serious disease, it can be prevented and controlled with proper habits. Here we tell you what causes it, how to recognize its warning signs, and what simple actions can make a difference in your health and quality of life. <\/p>\n\n

What is type 2 diabetes mellitus?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Type 2 diabetes mellitus<\/strong> is a chronic disease characterized by an insufficient production of insulin<\/strong> or by the body’s resistance to its action<\/strong>. This condition prevents the body from properly regulating blood glucose levels, affecting the health of millions of people worldwide, especially older adults, affecting the quality and life expectancy<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

    \n
  1. Currently, 589 million people<\/strong> worldwide live with diabetes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. It is estimated that by 2050<\/strong>, the figure will increase to 853 million<\/strong>, which is equivalent to 1 in 8 people<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. 81% of cases<\/strong> occur in low- or middle-income countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. In 2024<\/strong>, diabetes caused 3.4 million deaths<\/strong>, representing one person every 9 seconds<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    Causes and risk factors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

    With age, metabolism slows down and the risk increases, so prevention in older adults<\/strong> is essential. Its causes include genetic and environmental<\/strong> factors. The most common are: <\/p>\n\n

      \n
    1. Genetic predisposition<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Obesity and overweight<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Sedentary lifestyle or lack of physical activity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Unhealthy diet<\/strong>, rich in sugars and saturated fats.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

      Most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

      Detecting the disease in time helps prevent serious complications. The most frequent symptoms<\/strong> are: <\/p>\n\n

        \n
      1. Polyuria: urinating very frequently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Polydipsia: excessive thirst.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Tiredness or lack of energy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Unexplained weight loss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Polyphagia: constant hunger.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Blurred vision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      7. Frequent infections (especially fungal infections).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

        In the presence of several of these signs, it is important to consult a doctor and have a glucose check<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

        Possible complications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

        Without adequate control, uncontrolled diabetes<\/strong> can cause serious health consequences in older adults:<\/p>\n\n

          \n
        1. Diabetic or hyperosmolar coma.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Cardiovascular diseases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Chronic kidney disease.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Diabetic retinopathy (vision loss).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Hearing loss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Skin infections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        7. Urinary incontinence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        8. Erectile dysfunction or impotence.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

          Recommendations for preventing and controlling diabetes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

          Adopting a healthy lifestyle<\/strong> is the best way to prevent and control type 2 diabetes. Here’s what we can do.<\/p>\n\n

            \n
          1. Maintain a healthy weight<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Engage in physical activity<\/strong> for at least 30 minutes a day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Eat a balanced diet<\/strong>, with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. Avoid excessive consumption of sugar, refined flours, and alcoholic beverages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. Have regular medical check-ups<\/strong> and monitor your glucose levels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          6. Avoid stress<\/strong> and prioritize a good rest.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

            Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            Type 2 diabetes mellitus<\/strong> can not only be controlled, but also prevented or delayed<\/strong> with healthy habits. In older adults, early detection and commitment to a balanced lifestyle make the difference in enjoying an active, full life with better quality. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Type 2 diabetes has become a growing challenge for millions of people, especially in older adulthood. Although it is a serious disease, it can be prevented and controlled with proper habits. Here we tell you what causes it, how to recognize its warning signs, and what simple actions can make a difference in your health […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2267,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gerontology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2266"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2268,"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2266\/revisions\/2268"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hogarcorazondejesus.org.ec\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}