The aging process affects blood sugar levels starting at age 60 and can cause symptoms in many people. Seniors often have a significantly higher risk of developing serious health problems than any other age group. Some common reasons for their increased susceptibility include unhealthy eating habits, excessive alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can be crucial as we age. Below you will find some important information in this regard that can help you take the right measures against diabetes or high blood sugar.
What to do if blood sugar levels are unusual after 60 years?
Blood sugar keeps the brain, heart and other organs healthy, although older adults with diabetes have a higher risk of suffering from various diseases. These include heart attacks, vision problems and nerve damage. Those should therefore keep their blood sugar levels within a safe range to reduce such health risks. A high orlow blood sugar levelsnamely, indicates an underlying health condition that may require medical attention.
Additionally, seniors who have difficulty maintaining healthy blood sugar levels should monitor their activities and daily diet more closely. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause fainting, memory problems, and even death. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can lead to kidney, eye, nerve and cardiovascular diseases over time. Because blood sugar levels naturally rise after age 60, this can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. In fact, more than 20% of people diagnosed with the disease are over 65 years old. For this reason, it is advisable to recognize these values in order to be able to react to them in a timely manner.
What blood sugar level is normal in old age?
When carbohydrates are consumed, blood sugar levels rise as they enter the bloodstream. In response, the body releases insulin from the pancreas, allowing cells to use the carbohydrates for energy. Older men or women with hypoglycemia may have released too much insulin or not eaten for too long. When the body doesn't have enough energy to function, it quickly shuts down. Blood sugar levels below 70 mg/dL are therefore considered hypoglycemic levels. Older people with hyperglycemia often also have diabetes. When this happens, their body may no longer produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or no longer use the hormone effectively for energy (type 2 diabetes).
Because high blood sugar levels can damage the various organs in the body over time, it is important to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range. Normal ranges of blood sugar levels are between 70 and 130 mg/dL before eating. A recommended blood sugar level is less than 180 mg/dL two hours after eating. Therefore, older people should focus on healthy lifestyle habits such asConsumption of nutritious foods, regular exercise and strong social ties.
When are you at risk for diabetes and what goals should you set?
To diagnose prediabetes, when sugar levels are high but not high enough to develop as type 2 diabetes, blood tests can help. This means that the glucose level can be measured either on an empty stomach (fasting state) or after eating (postprandial values). However, blood tests alone cannot confirm diabetes, but they can at least provide evidence of it. This is necessary to justify further medical examinations if diabetes is suspected.
In addition, hypoglycemia is common in older women or men with diabetes. However, this may be due to other health problems such as chronic illnesses, malnutrition or reaction to medications. The risk of complications from diabetes can therefore increase with age. Hypoglycemia can even occur from taking too many medications, which is not uncommon in older adults.
So if your blood sugar levels start to deviate from the standard after age 60, your diabetic treatment goals will also change. Other health problems and/or cognitive impairments also affect this. If you are in good health, you may be able to manage diabetes as if you were younger. However, if you have other health problems, less severe treatment may help you avoid hypoglycemia.
When are blood sugar levels too high after 60 years?
As previously mentioned, hyperglycemia occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't use insulin properly. It can occur due to several reasons such as stress, illnesses, dawn phenomenon, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and others. The most common symptoms of hyperglycemia are fatigue, frequent urination, headache, blurred vision, increased thirst, weight loss, and difficulty concentrating. Without timely treatment, high blood sugar levels can lead to eye, kidney, nerve and heart problems.
The good news is that high blood sugar levels can be controlled with appropriate medication and a healthy lifestyle. Here are some tips for this purpose:
- Eat low-sugar foods that are minimally processed.
- Do not exercise if ketones are present in the bloodstream. Use a blood glucose meter to keep ketones in check.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Take the right medications as recommended by the healthcare provider.
Possible nutritional therapies for diabetes or abnormal blood sugar levels
As you have already seen, diet can be an important factor in the treatment of diabetes. However, maintaining a healthy diet can often be challenging for some older people. This can trigger common gastrointestinal problems and put affected individuals at greater risk. Such problems may include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), anorexia, digestive and intestinal problems, or feeling full after eating very little. Keeping a food diary can help you or your care team better identify such nutritional problems.
Older adults may also need to add medical nutritional therapy to their diabetes treatment plan. In such cases, a registered dietitian will create a nutrition plan tailored to your needs. The following strategies are recommended:
- Adding supplements, proteins, or liquid calories to maintain weight
- Ease food restrictions
- Assistance with meal preparation, grocery shopping, or following a diet plan
Further health tips against deviating blood sugar values from the age of 60
It's normal for your diabetes management to change as you age. Follow the treatment plan designed for you. Keep in mind that your target numbers may be higher than those for other age groups. If you need help managing your diabetes, speak up. Your doctor can guide you and help you find the resources you need. Otherwise, you can take the following steps to lower high blood sugar levels naturally:
- Try to eat a breakfast rich in protein and fiber in the morning to keep your blood sugar levels normal. This helps you digest and stabilizes the level of sugar released into the blood.
- Move more often and do exercises appropriate for your age to reduce high blood sugar levels from 60 years old.
- It's better to switch to water, as sugar-filled drinks can quickly increase your blood sugar levels.
- If you are hypoglycemic, keep fast carbohydrates like fructose on hand in case your blood sugar levels crash. A quick snack or drink for this condition can raise your blood sugar to help you feel normal again.
Hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia become more likely if you are over 60 years old. Targeted blood sugar levels help to reduce the risk of diabetes, and frequent blood sugar checks can also prevent the endocrine disease. Additionally, diabetes is primarily treated through diet and medication. However, as we age and our health declines, it can become more difficult to properly manage these factors. Therefore, your doctor can suggest appropriate medical nutritional therapy. This can be based on your individual needs and health status.
