A glucose levels chart can help identify a person’s normal (healthy) and abnormal blood sugar levels. This is particularly important for men over 60 since diabetes, a disease in which the body loses its normal ability to control blood sugar, is relatively more common with age. The chart is often used to help set target goals. It also plays a role in monitoring diabetes monitoring treatment plans in long term.
Normally, your digestive system breaks down food (especially carbohydrate and sugar) into glucose. The glucose is then absorbed and goes into the circulation (bloodstream), that’s why blood sugar level is usually relatively higher after eating.
Insulin, hormone produced and released by the pancreas, is responsible to regulate the amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood. More insulin is released when you have a blood sugar spike. The hormone stimulates your body’s cells to absorb and use glucose for energy, and then blood glucose level decreases afterwards.
With diabetes this mechanism is impaired. Your body loses its natural ability to either respond insulin (insulin resistance) or doesn’t make enough insulin.
The bad news, it seems the rates of the disease have significantly risen in many countries worldwide. In the United States for example, more than 8 percent of all population in this country is probably affected by the disease [CDC reports].
And when we’re talking about age risk factor, type-2 diabetes is the major concern since the risk for this type of diabetes increases as we age. And did you know that one of the greatest jumps in this type was among men!
Besides age factor, your risk of developing type-2 diabetes may increase with the following things:
- If you’re being overweight (obese).
- Becoming inactive, sedentary individual (lack of physical activity).
- Poor, unhealthy diet especially diet high in sugar and carbs.
- Or genetic factor (a history of the disease in your close, immediate family — such as parent, brother, or sister).
To keep safe, testing for diabetes should start after the age of 45 (including for men who are in the absence of risks). If you have more risk factors of the disease, your doctor may ask you for the test earlier.
Early diagnosis is often helpful to promote better outcome and prognosis. We know there is still no cure for diabetes, but it’s manageable. The earlier lifestyle changes and comprehensive treatment plan you take, the less likely it is that diabetes complications will occur.
Almost 20 percent of global diabetes prevalence is found in the age group over 60, specifically at 65 to 69 years — according to a PDF guideline released by the International Diabetes Federation in 2017. This suggests it’s not uncommon to find diabetes in men over 60.
There are 3 common definitions when it comes to glucose levels chart; fasting blood sugar (FBS) test, after eating (postprandial) blood sugar test, and random test. Each name implies when you take the test.
Living with diabetes is challenging enough. But this would be more challenging with age, especially when you’re over 60. The natural course of your aging process combined with diabetes would make controlling the disease more difficult.
Heart diseases, for example, are common complications from uncontrolled diabetes. We know heart problems or other common healthy problems in elderly people, such as like hearing problems and changes in vision, can affect everyone with age. But with diabetes, these problems may carry a bigger impact.
For more comprehensive guidance, work with your doctor and dietitian. A few adjustments may be suggested for elderly people with diabetes.
Diabetes diet may be a bit different from general recommendations. For example, elderly patients with diabetes are more likely to be undernutrition and underweight due to lack of appetite or other factors. Dehydration (lower fluid intake) is also a common thing, especially when they have bouts of illness.
What to remember, there is always a chance to prevent diabetes complications, no matter how old you are! And being aware of these age-related challenges will help you to feel better in general and to better deal with them.
The following are a few helpful tips to cope with common challenges of diabetes and aging so you’re likely to keep the disease in check as you get older:
Lead in from WEB “Blood sugar chart”
No chart, I was hoping for a chart to place next to the BMI chart
Guess I will go elsewhere.