Seniors May Be Over-Treated For Diabetes

According to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, many older adults may be over-treated for their diabetes resulting in more harm than benefit for seniors, especially those with other health problems.

Of the 1288 seniors over the age of 65 studied between 2001 and 2010, tight glycemic controls such as insulin or sulfonylureas, were likely to result in hypoglycemia, according to analysis of data gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose) which is the body’s main energy source.  Symptoms of hypoglycemia include heart palpitations, fatigue, pale skin, shakiness, anxiety, sweating, hunger, irritability, a tingling around the mouth and crying out during sleep.  Without treatment, low blood sugar can result in confusion, abnormal behavior, blurred vision, seizures and unconsciousness.

Diabetes is a major concern for seniors; it is estimated that 20 per cent of adults over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with the disease and half of all seniors are prediabetic.  Approximately 7.8 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes and seniors with the condition have a greater risk for cardiovascular disease and dementia as well as an increase in the likelihood of falls and hypoglycemia.

The new research reveals that glucose control in the short term demonstrated little or no reduction in microvascular and cardiovascular complications but increased the risk of hypoglycemia and in one trial, increased the risk of mortality.   Intensive glycemic control over the long term(10 years or more), may however result in some cardiovascular benefit.

To learn more about treating diabetes, speak with your doctor.  To take the CDC Prediabetes Screening Test, visit http://www.ama-assn.org/sub/prevent-diabetes-stat/downloads/prediabetes-screening-test.pdf .