DIABETES

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. 

Glucose comes from the  digestion of starchy foods. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps the glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by the body. When you have diabetes the amount of insulin your body produces does not work properly or the body is unable to produce any insulin. The production of insulin is a vital part of metabolism.

There are two main types of diabetes. These are:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin. This type of diabetes usually appears among children and teenagers.  Type 1 diabetes is the least common of the two main types and accounts for between 5 – 15% of all people with diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). This type of diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40. You may also be at risk if you are overweight or have problems with metabolism. Type 2 diabetes is the most common of the two main types and accounts for between 85 - 95% of all people with diabetes.

The risk factors

• A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).
• You are overweight.

• You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or a stroke.
• You are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight.
•You have impaired glucose tolerance.
• You are over 45.

• You have high cholesterol levels and low immunity to infections.

Diabetes symptoms • Increased thirst
• Going to the toilet (for a wee) all the time – especially at night
• Extreme tiredness or feeling sleepy
• Weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Genital itching
• Slow healing of wounds

• High blood glucose levels

• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Skin infections
• Problems with erection

• Gum diseases

Treating diabetes

Tablets and/or insulin are usually required to achieve normal blood glucose levels. You also need to monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet, weight loss and increased physical activity are recommended. A healthy diet, and regular exercise may be enough to lower your blood glucose levels and to exclude tablets and/or insulin intake. You should remember all the decisions regarding your health should be made by a doctor.

Important

Carers have a very responsible job to do – to help senior citizens accept the disease. Adapting to diabetes will allow them to lead a normal life. The carers/volunteers will have to discipline regular monitoring your health – checking blood sugar levels, the medicine intake, eating well and following a good diet, organizing different activities.

You can lead a healthy life with diabetes. However, if it is not cured, it may do a lot of harm to your body and damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and major arteries.

SENILE DEMENTIA

Senile dementia is the mental deterioration (loss of intellectual ability) that is associated with old age. The main symptom is a deepening memory disorder.

Especially in the later stages of the condition, affected persons may be disoriented in time (not knowing what day of the week, month, or even what year it is), in place (not knowing where they are), and in person (not knowing who they are). However, they may remember very well what happened many years ago. Dementia may involve:

• progressive deterioration of thinking & memory ( “I don’t know who I am”)

• mental disorder

• amnesia (the person does not remember facts or actions

• progressive deterioration of behavior & personality function (forgetting how to walk, sit, eat etc.)

A person with senile dementia is totally dependent on other people, cannot perform daily activities, has problems with making contact with others. This means they cannot work and be socially active. Senile dementia is a progressive and incurable disease.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder. People with Alzheimer’s experience difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning.

The main symptoms are:

- deepening memory loss

- difficulty performing familiar tasks

- problems with language, speech & abstract thinking

- disorientation to time and place

- poor or decreased judgment

- changes in mood, behaviour & personality

- loss of initiative

There are 3 stages of Alzheimer’s disease:

Stage 1

- memory lapses

- problems with remembering new information

- rapid changes in behaviour without apparent reason

- mood swings

Stage 2

Reduced memory and deepening memory loss causes:

- losing capacity for recognizable speech

- problems with recognizing space and moving around

- mental& emotional disorder

Stage 3

A person with Alzheimer’s forgets not only facts, but also basic bodily functions:

- they lose the ability to walk without assistance, then the ability to sit without support

- they need help with eating and toileting and there is general incontinence of urine

Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, and it is fatal.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder.  It occurs when certain nerve cells (neurons) in a part of the brain die or become impaired.

The signs and symptoms are:

• Tremor (shaking), especially hands

• Slowness of movement

• Rigidity (stiffness)

• Difficulty with balance

• Muffled speech

• Depression

The symptoms of Parkinson’s increase slowly, starting with a slowing of physical movement and reduction of a person’s ability to initiate voluntary movement (even the simplest tasks might be difficult and time-consuming), to a loss of physical movement, in extreme cases. When experiencing impaired posture and balance, a person must consult a doctor.

The medicines most commonly used improves the tremor, rigidity and slowness associated with Parkinson's disease, but does not cure the disease.

HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH MEMORY DISORDER

Living with an elderly, sick person, you should remember:

- to accept the diseased person

- to familiarize yourself with the disease

- to help the diseased person to live in dignity and to help them with their daily tasks

- not to compel the sick person to learn and remember new things

- not to argue with the sick person

- to be tolerant to the mistakes made by the diseased (they do not realize they are making them)

- to show understanding, patience and warmth

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Some of the symptoms of MS (multiple sclerosis) are: changes in sensation, muscle weakness, difficulty in moving, difficulties with coordination and balance, problems in speech or swallowing, visual problems, bladder and bowel difficulties and depression. If a person notices any of the above symptoms, they should immediately consult a doctor and have thorough tests conducted. Although there is no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course and to improve function and safety.

Pharmacological treatment is the most important, but rehabilitation, proper diet, vitamins and minerals can be also very effective in slowing down the symptoms of MS.

A person with MS should have:

- medication

- rehabilitation

- psychological help assured.

A person with MS should not feel discriminated.

DEPRESSION

Depression among old people is very often ignored by their closest family, regarding it as another stage of getting old. That does not change the fact that the depression should be treated. People chronically ill feel guilty, they lack confidence and self esteem. These feelings, together with suppressing negative emotions can cause depression.

The main symptoms of depression are:

- constant feelings of sadness, irritability or tension

- decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies

- loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity

- loss of appetite

- difficulty sleeping

- restlessness or feeling slowed down, tired

- decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate

- feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt

- despair

- difficulty concentrating

Family can be very important when diagnosing depression. They can notice early signs and can also help the sick person to get help and start the treatment. The patients should be surrounded by people who support, understand and make them feel secure.