Analysis of the Causes of Hyperglycemia in Middle-aged and Elderly People and Five Prevention Strategies

The Relationship Between Hyperglycemia and Age
Hyperglycemia—A Common Disease in Middle-Aged and Elderly People
Etiology of Diabetes in Middle-Aged and Elderly People
Middle-aged and elderly patients with diabetes account for the largest proportion of all diabetes patients and are one of the main causes of death among middle-aged and elderly people. Currently, the mechanism of diabetes is not fully understood. However, according to epidemiological studies, due to increased environmental pollution, various adverse ecological factors have caused imbalances in trace elements and electrolytes in the body, leading to decreased immune function and an increase in allergic diseases, which forms the basis for the rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetes in recent years. It can be said that diabetes is an ecological disease, another ecologically caused disease following hypertension, tumors, neonatal malformations, and goiter.

●How to Prevent Diabetes in Middle-Aged and Elderly People

(1) Living Environment and Lifestyle. Choose an environment where the surrounding soil, air, and drinking water are not severely polluted. Avoid decorating the room with volatile gases such as phenols. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, do not smoke or drink alcohol, and live a regular life.

(2) Dietary Control. Pay attention to a balanced diet with a variety of foods. For middle-aged and elderly people aged 60, the daily intake of food containing approximately 7942 kJ of energy is roughly equivalent to 1-2 eggs, 50-100 grams of lean meat, 50 grams of vegetable oil, and 200-250 grams of grains. The general principle is a low-fat, low-sugar, low-salt diet with a mix of refined and whole grains and high fiber.

(3) Appropriate exercise is recommended. Moderate to light aerobic exercise is suitable. Daily activity time should generally be 40-60 minutes, and should be maintained regularly and gradually increased to promote glucose utilization in peripheral tissues.

(4) Regular medical checkups are necessary. Blood glucose and triglycerides should be monitored. Efforts should be made to control fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and triglycerides within the normal range, with fasting blood glucose less than 6.0 mmol/L, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose less than 8.0 mmol/L, and triglycerides less than 2.4 mmol/L. If the measured value reaches or exceeds the upper limit of normal, a glucose tolerance test should be performed again. Once diagnosed, treatment should begin as soon as possible.

(5) Preventive drug treatment. For diabetic patients who do not respond well to diet and exercise therapy, drug therapy should be initiated as early as possible. Drug use is a very important means of treating diabetes, but it can only be effective on the basis of diet control and exercise therapy. Patients must choose the most suitable drug under the guidance of a doctor.