Diabetes can’t be cured, but it can be treated. With this being said, if your elderly loved one has certain symptoms, they could have diabetes. It is important to get an early diagnosis of diabetes. The longer it goes on, unmanaged or untreated, the more dangerous it can be for your loved one. You and your loved one’s elder care providers should be able to recognize the early symptoms of diabetes. If you notice these symptoms, be sure to have them see their doctor right away.
Frequent Skin, Kidney, or Bladder Infections
One of the most common early symptoms of diabetes is when someone gets frequent skin, kidney, bladder, or other types of infections. This means the body’s systems aren’t working properly and need to be checked out. While there are many reasons why someone could have frequent infections, diabetes is one cause for concern.
Increased Fatigue, Hunger, Thirst, and Urination
If your elderly loved one does have diabetes, you might notice they have increased fatigue, hunger, thirst, and urination. Diabetes can cause someone to feel extremely fatigued. If you notice that your elderly loved one is constantly looking exhausted or tired, they could have diabetes. If you notice that your elderly loved one is constantly hungry or thirsty, this could also signify they have diabetes. With the increased thirst, your elderly loved one might be urinating more, too. Keep all of this in mind when you are looking for symptoms of diabetes in your elderly loved one.
Blurred Vision
Do you notice that your elderly loved one’s vision is blurry? If so, this could be a symptom of diabetes. However, you should know that since there are many causes of blurred vision, this symptom, on its own, may not be a cause for concern with diabetes. However, if it is combined with other symptoms mentioned here today, you should certainly talk to their doctor about it.
Pain or Numbness in Hands or Feet
Many people who have diabetes also experience pain or numbness in their hands or feet. Is this something your elderly loved one has complained of recently? Is it something new to them or has it been going on for a while? Do they have any other diagnoses that would contribute to this pain or numbness? If they don’t have any other diagnoses, they could have diabetes. This is certainly something you or their elder care providers should speak to their doctor about.
These are some of the early symptoms of diabetes that you should watch out for in your elderly loved one. If you notice these symptoms, be sure to talk to their doctor right away. Remember, the earlier that diabetes is diagnosed, the better things will be for your loved one.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354930/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323185.php
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING ELDER CARE IN YOUNGTOWN, AZ, CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY (623) 748-3301.