<p> Diabetes is not a single disease, it is accompanied by many other disorders, especially among the elderly. A study among the elderly diabetic in Delhi found a high number of them suffer from low blood sugar and depression.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Delhi Diabetes Research Centre conducted a study among 1,200 diabetics in the age group between 65 and 82 years. The subjects were followed up for three years for various other co-morbidities.<br /><br />It was found that 36 per cent of the subjects faced hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar. Among them, 10 per cent needed hospitalisation at least once for life-saving treatment. <br /><br />As many as 25 per cent were found to be depressed. They prefer spending time alone. They complained of lack of sleep and avoided food.<br /><br />Nearly 30 per cent of the subjects develop urinary problems ranging from incontinence (no control on urine) to frequent urination during night. The study also found many joint and bone-related problems affecting this age group. Eight per cent had frequent falls leading to fracture of hip bone and other bones. <br /><br />Some of these men and women received serious injuries. Blurred vision, imbalance and involvement of nerves and weak joints contributed to frequent falls.<br /><br />The study concluded that joint stiffness and difficulty in moving, hearing loss, defective visions were the other ailments troubling the elderly diabetics. A large number of subjects were also found taking medicines for coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. <br /><br />Impaired memory was the other common factor for either not taking medicines or taking medicines more than required.<br /><br /> Lead author of the study, diabetic expert Dr A K Jhingan said timely intervention and support of other elderly helped improve overall quality of life of the subjects. <br /> “All problems of the elderly are interlinked. One leads to the other. Thus, we should develop an approach which can help sorting them out together,” he said.</p>
<p> Diabetes is not a single disease, it is accompanied by many other disorders, especially among the elderly. A study among the elderly diabetic in Delhi found a high number of them suffer from low blood sugar and depression.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Delhi Diabetes Research Centre conducted a study among 1,200 diabetics in the age group between 65 and 82 years. The subjects were followed up for three years for various other co-morbidities.<br /><br />It was found that 36 per cent of the subjects faced hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar. Among them, 10 per cent needed hospitalisation at least once for life-saving treatment. <br /><br />As many as 25 per cent were found to be depressed. They prefer spending time alone. They complained of lack of sleep and avoided food.<br /><br />Nearly 30 per cent of the subjects develop urinary problems ranging from incontinence (no control on urine) to frequent urination during night. The study also found many joint and bone-related problems affecting this age group. Eight per cent had frequent falls leading to fracture of hip bone and other bones. <br /><br />Some of these men and women received serious injuries. Blurred vision, imbalance and involvement of nerves and weak joints contributed to frequent falls.<br /><br />The study concluded that joint stiffness and difficulty in moving, hearing loss, defective visions were the other ailments troubling the elderly diabetics. A large number of subjects were also found taking medicines for coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. <br /><br />Impaired memory was the other common factor for either not taking medicines or taking medicines more than required.<br /><br /> Lead author of the study, diabetic expert Dr A K Jhingan said timely intervention and support of other elderly helped improve overall quality of life of the subjects. <br /> “All problems of the elderly are interlinked. One leads to the other. Thus, we should develop an approach which can help sorting them out together,” he said.</p>