Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2018

200 www.RetiringToSC.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.ReadMP.com senior living A s people age, it’s easy to mistake symptoms of Type 2 diabetes as simply part of the process of getting older. Increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, poor healing of wounds and vision changes are all signs of diabetes which often get brushed aside. Even if you suspect you may have the disease, it can be difficult to diagnose. Cathy Reinhart, a registered nurse with Trident Health Systems’ Diabetes Resource and Education, recommends visiting your primary care doctor for diagnosis and referral to a specialist if necessary. “Yearly physicals do detect cases of diabetes, but many times it takes years for the fasting glucose to increase to the level that is diagnostic of diabetes,” she explained. “Typically, the diagnosis is made with a fasting glucose level, but, in many cases, the first abnormalities of glucose may occur after eating, so it can be difficult to detect.” In addition to being complicated to detect and diagnose, some diagnoses take a long time to pinpoint. “If a person is having symptoms and their fasting glucose level is normal or slightly elevated, an additional blood test called a hemoglobin A1c is useful in determining an estimated average glucose level over the previous two to three months,” she said. Depending on the glucose and A1c levels, diabetes can be managed with oral medications, injections, diet and exercise. A certified diabetes educator can assist patients with managing diabetes. In addition to widely known insulin injections, injectable or oral medications are also available. A set of guidelines helps general practice doctors guide their patients to decide whether to start insulin or oral or injectable medicine. Those with Type 2 diabetes might be able to get off of insulin with a healthy diet and exercise. “I am upfront with my patients about insulin therapy,” said Reinhart. “No longer needing insulin is a possibility, but for those who continue to need it, that doesn’t indicate the patient has failed in managing their diabetes. It just means the diabetes has changed.” A healthy diet also plays a key role in managing Type 2 diabetes. Meal planning, basic healthy eating practices and a consistent carbohydrate diet can help. As the main By Anne Toole Managing Diabetes in the Golden Years