title: Diabetes: 'tight control' in a comprehensive treatment plan.
abstract: Two out of every five older Americans have abnormal glucose homeostasis. Approximately 1 in 5 has diabetes mellitus, but one-half of these persons are undiagnosed. Treatment of diabetes in older adults is usually managed by primary care physicians. A regular exercise program is the cornerstone of management, even in frail patients. Diet, weight loss, and regular patient education are also important. Age should not limit attempts at tight glucose control in older patients who are cognitively intact and otherwise reasonable candidates. The key to successful management is to follow through with a treatment plan that deals with all of the factors that influence glucose metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Johnson County Center for Community Health, Wrightsville, GA.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D015444:Exercise; D005194:Family Practice; D005215:Fasting; D016330:Frail Elderly; D019270:Fructosamine; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006595:Hexosamines; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D019270:Fructosamine