Life Expectancy of Diabetics, Does it Long Live?

Diabetes is one of the causes of premature death worldwide. The risk of developing this disease will increase with age. So, how long can diabetics survive? Check out the full explanation in the following review.

How Long Can Diabetics Live?

Not a few people think that getting a diabetes diagnosis means that life expectancy will be reduced drastically.

In fact, the effect of diabetes on life expectancy is influenced by various factors, such as the speed at which diabetes is detected and treated, and the method of keeping blood sugar within normal ranges.

In addition, there are other factors that can affect life expectancy, namely symptoms and severity, complications that arise, and the body’s response to treatment.

Therefore, it is difficult to know exactly how long people with diabetes can live.

When compared with people without diabetes aged 50 years, people with type 2 diabetes with the same age decreased life expectancy by up to 6 years.

However, this number is not absolute. Several factors can increase the life expectancy of people with diabetes.

A 2022 study found that people with type 2 diabetes and who had a lower body mass index (BMI) showed an increased life expectancy of up to four years.

The same research also shows that keeping blood pressure within the normal range can increase the life expectancy of people with type 2 diabetes by up to two years.

Maintaining normal blood sugar levels can also increase life expectancy. The study also shows that reducing HbA1c to 7.7% can help people with type 2 diabetes live 3-4 years longer.

This research shows that a healthy lifestyle and maintaining blood sugar can improve the health of people with diabetes.

Also Read: Diabetics Want to Eat Ice Cream, Is It OK?

Increasing Life Expectancy of Diabetics

Not only longevity, diabetics must also be good at maintaining their condition so they don’t experience a decrease in quality of life.

Here are several ways you can do to increase the life expectancy of diabetes, including:

1. Undergo a Healthy Diet

Having diabetes means you need to eat a balanced diet to maintain blood sugar levels.

You are advised to reduce consumption of sugar, salt and fat. In addition, it is important to ensure that the food that enters the body is food that is rich in nutrients so that the body continues to get fiber, vitamins and minerals.

2. Maintain Ideal Body Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight has many benefits for diabetics, such as helping to maintain blood pressure and cholesterol, and reducing the risk of problems with the eyes, feet and heart.

Losing weight will be difficult at first, but with the right way and lifestyle, weight will be easier to maintain. You can consult a nutritionist for a healthy weight loss plan.

Also Read: Utilizing Ginger to Keep Blood Sugar Levels Stable, Is it Effective?

3. Exercise regularly

Exercising can help keep your blood sugar and weight within normal ranges. This step can also help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

It is recommended that you exercise for 150 minutes per week at moderate intensity. Some of the recommended sports are walking, cycling, swimming, lifting weights, and aerobics.

4. Quit Smoking

The nicotine found in cigarettes can cause insulin to work less effectively. As a result, people with diabetes need larger doses of insulin.

In addition, smoking can also cause serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke. This disease can reduce life expectancy in diabetics.

People with diabetes who quit smoking are known to have better control of their blood sugar. Insulin can work more effectively to lower blood sugar at 8 weeks after diabetics quit smoking.

Having diabetes doesn’t mean your life is over. Appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes can increase the life expectancy of people with diabetes. Therefore, do not delay in undergoing treatment.

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