The prevalence of diabetes increases with age and, with our aging population, there will be a higher percentage of the population that suffers from this debilitating condition. There are special concerns when dealing with seniors who have diabetes that need to be addressed as a person ages. Many times ailing seniors will neglect to keep up with their health due to mobility and other issues, so it’s important to check in with them and offer assistance.

Seniors and Blood Sugar Monitoring

In order to know the effectiveness of diabetic management, it is important to check your blood sugar at least twice per day. If you’ve ever tried to check your own blood pressure, you know there are several steps involved and it takes a bit of dexterity to get the blood and run the machine. An elderly person with arthritis, for example, may not have the dexterity to properly get a good blood sugar reading. Continue reading →

Gestational diabetes is a problem of elevated blood sugar that only happens when a woman is pregnant. It develops at around 24 weeks gestation and occurs in between 2-10 percent of pregnant women. Because it is one of the more common disorders of pregnancy, it is one that every pregnant woman should be screened for.

What happens in pregnancy with blood sugar?

Normally, your body breaks down your food into a simple sugar called glucose. The glucose goes into your bloodstream and this triggers insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, to be released. Insulin helps put glucose into the cells of the body to be used in metabolism and gathering energy. Continue reading →