At what age may diabetes start? If you are 45 years old or older, it may be time to make an appointment with a doctor. This disease can develop slowly and without noticeable symptoms, but it is important to notice them as soon as possible. Early warning signs of diabetes may include increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and tingling hands and feet. The incidence of diabetes increases sharply during middle age and during the senior years, when it may reach epidemic proportions. Today, 14% of Americans have type 2 diabetes, and those rates jump more than five times for those between 18 and 44. The number of people 65 and over with diabetes may also be higher, with 4.7% of cases undiagnosed.
Type 1 Diabetes
Although age may diabetes start can occur at any age, there are two noticeable peaks. The first peaks occur in children between the ages of four and seven, and the second peaks arise between the ages of 10 and fourteen. Once diagnosed, type 1 diabetes can have devastating consequences, affecting major body organs. Therefore, it is critical to maintaining a healthy blood sugar level to minimize the chance of developing these complications, which can be life-threatening.
While a person’s blood glucose levels will increase over time, they will not necessarily rise to dangerous levels. An average blood sugar level is less than seven milligrams per deciliter of blood, so the patient must regularly monitor their glucose levels. However, when blood sugar levels reach their peak, the sugar production is turned off in the liver, but insulin is still produced in the remaining beta cells of the pancreas. Therefore, once the “honeymoon” period is over, the need for insulin increases again.
Diagnosis
Many factors influence the risk of developing diabetes, including the age of diagnosis. For instance, diabetes rates increase with age. For example, one in every three adults is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the United States. But, by 45, that number jumps to nine out of every 100. And as you age, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases even further. This is because the age of diagnosis may also affect the treatment for the condition.
Although there is no universal age for screening for age may diabetes start, the USPSTF has lowered the threshold for the first test to age 35. The goal is to prevent diabetes from developing in the first place. But determining when to start screening is not as easy as recommending a certain age. The USPSTF has suggested that screening should begin at age 35 to avoid complications, but it has not formulated a standardized screening tool.
Treatment
The prevalence of diabetes is on the rise among children and teens, especially those with type 2 diabetes. In 2015, approximately 12.2 percent of U.S. adults had diabetes, compared to just 3.7 percent of those in their 20s and 30s. Type 2 diabetes is also prevalent in the elderly population; in fact, 25.2 percent of those over 65 have diabetes. While type 2 diabetes is typically diagnosed in people younger than 45, it can develop at any age.
Research has shown that minority groups are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than white adults, and current screening and prevention methods may not be as effective as they could be. For example, Non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American adults are more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to develop diabetes. Moreover, a recent study showed that the age at which women develop diabetes is four to seven years earlier than that of non-Hispanic white adults. Approximately one-fourth of non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American adults had age may diabetes start before age 40.
Prevention
The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to recognize symptoms in young children. As a result, children with type 2 diabetes tend to develop kidney and eye problems earlier in life. It can also lead to high blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition, type 2 diabetes commonly occurs in children with obesity, which is linked to the body’s inability to use insulin properly. Fortunately, it can prevent most cases of type 2 diabetes. In addition to controlling the development of the disease, prevention and management also can improve the quality of life for children with diabetes.
To prevent the development of diabetes, children and adults should be given physical activity. The recommended amount of exercise depends on the risk of developing diabetes. Aim to perform at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity most days of the week. Ideally, adults should perform 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week. In addition, people should aim to maintain a healthy weight. For those at a higher risk of developing age may diabetes start, regular aerobic exercise should be part of the daily routine.
