Is the elderly person's diabetes severe?

Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
Updated on May 09, 2025
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Elderly diabetes often begins in a concealed manner, lacking the typical symptoms of excessive drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss.

At the same time, it has many complications, such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic cardiopathy, making its manifestations more diverse and extensive.

In addition, it can be complicated by infections, ketoacidosis, and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome, both of which have very high mortality rates.

Fourthly, diabetes often coexists with multiple chronic diseases in the elderly, including angina, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and heart failure, thus increasing the risk associated with polypharmacy.

Fifthly, hypoglycemia can easily occur and is difficult to diagnose and treat promptly, often leading to severe adverse events such as falls and cardiovascular incidents.

Therefore, we should pay more attention to diabetes in elderly individuals, managing it more thoroughly to enable a happier life in their later years.

Other Voices

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
51sec home-news-image

Diabetic foot prevention care

First of all, it's important to keep blood sugar under control. It's recommended that people with diabetes check their glycated hemoglobin every three months to see if their blood sugar levels meet the standards. Second, many patients suffer from diabetic foot due to severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Injuries such as stepping on a nail or accidental bumps may lead to infections. Therefore, it's suggested that patients with diabetes check their feet daily for any small wounds or ulcers, and if found, they should seek timely treatment from an endocrinology specialist. Third, using warm water for foot baths and treatments like local infrared lamp therapy are advised. It's important to ensure that the temperature is not too high, generally around 40 degrees Celsius, to avoid burning the skin.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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How is type 2 diabetes treated?

The treatment of type 2 diabetes includes the following aspects. First, dietary treatment is recommended, advising regular and quantitative meals three times a day, and avoiding late-night snacks and extra meals. Second, appropriate exercise. Third, self-monitoring of blood glucose; it is best to purchase a glucometer for home use and show the recorded blood glucose levels to the doctor during hospital visits. Fourth, diabetes education. Fifth, medication treatment, which includes oral medications and insulin therapy. It's important to visit an endocrinology specialist promptly to determine the most suitable medication under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
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Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

The symptoms of gestational diabetes differ from those of non-pregnancy diabetes; non-pregnancy diabetes is mainly characterized by excessive drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. During pregnancy, excessive drinking and eating may be physiological responses due to increased appetite, and frequent urination may be caused by the enlarged uterus pressing on the bladder during early pregnancy. Weight loss is generally not apparent in gestational diabetes due to the growth of the fetus, the uterus, and the increase in amniotic fluid. For women who had a higher body mass index before pregnancy and a family history of diabetes, it is recommended to start glucose tolerance screening from the time of planning to conceive. For those who gain weight rapidly after becoming pregnant and have a significant increase in amniotic fluid, we typically conduct routine diabetes screening between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes has severe impacts on the pregnant woman, the fetus, and the newborn, thus early detection and treatment are advised.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What does a diabetic diet include?

The diet for diabetes primarily includes the following aspects: First, it is recommended to eat at regular times and in fixed amounts daily. Second, avoid consuming foods with a high glycemic index, such as porridge, glutinous rice, and rice noodle rolls, as these are not recommended. Third, the diet should be bland, as many diabetic patients also suffer from high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and high uric acid. Therefore, a bland diet is emphasized. Fourth, overly sweet fruits such as lychee, longan, banana, and grapes are not suitable for consumption.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Key Points of Diabetic Foot Care

First, a daily foot examination is necessary, including the top, bottom, and toes. Carefully observe the skin's color, temperature, and moisture level, check for edema, skin lesions, and assess sensory and motor reflexes. Second, maintain a daily routine of soaking the feet in warm water. The water temperature should not exceed 40°C, with the soaking time ideally between 10 to 20 minutes. Third, regularly trim your toenails. Long toenails can easily break and damage the surrounding tissue, thus it is important for diabetic foot patients to regularly trim their nails. Fourth, the breathability of shoes and socks is important. It is advised not to wear sandals or slippers that expose the skin of the feet since exposed skin is more susceptible to injuries. Fifth, never walk barefoot. Sixth, avoid using electric blankets, hot water bottles, heating by the fire, and cupping therapy, to prevent burns on your feet. Seventh, maintain proper skin moisture. For patients with sweaty feet prone to excessive sweating, fungal infections may occur. It is recommended to wipe the spaces between toes with medical alcohol during foot baths, and to add a small amount of vinegar to the footbath water, as a bifunctional environment discourages fungal growth. Eighth, actively control blood sugar levels in diabetes. Ninth, maintain moderate exercise. Frequently elevate the affected limb to facilitate blood return and improve circulation in the lower limbs.