How does diabetes affect health? Before getting Type 2 diabetes, a person may have blood sugar levels that are higher than What is the diabetes-dementia link? …
Alzheimers Disease and Type 2 Diabetes: What Is the Link?
Nearly 21 million people in the United States have diabetes Six million of them dont even know it Who gets diabetes? Most people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes It usually strikes adults Type 2 is linked to lack of exercise and being overweight Anyone can get diabetes, but some adults are at higher risk than others: people over 65 Hispanic Americans African Americans Native Americans Asian Americans Pacific Islanders How does diabetes affect health? When diabetes is not controlled, too much sugar remains in the blood Over time, this can damage organs Type 2 diabetes puts people at risk for these illnesses: heart disease stroke blindness kidney failure nerve problems How does Type 2 diabetes affect the brain? Type 2 diabetes can also harm the brain Compared to people without diabetes, more people with diabetes get dementia A person with dementia has a harder and harder time remembering things and thinking clearly The most common dementia is Alzheimers disease Another form is vascular dementia Both Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia may be linked to diabetes How does Type 2 diabetes start? Before getting
Type 2 diabetes, a person may have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal High blood sugar levels may be a sign of insulin resistance Insulin is a hormone that helps the body change blood sugar into energy Eventually, insulin resistance can make blood sugar rise higher, and diabetes will develop Levels above126 mg/dL signal diabetes People with insulin resistance often have: a big waistline: at least 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women low levels of HDL, or good cholesterol: below 40 mg/dL for men or 50 mg/dL for women
Diabetes: Disabling Disease to Double by 2050 CDC, January 2007 http://wwwcdcgov/nccdphp/publications/aag/ddthtm
18002723900 | wwwalzorg
2007 Alzheimers Association All rights reserved This is an official publication of the Alzheimers Association but may be distributed by unaffiliated organizations and individuals Such distribution does not constitute an endorsement of these parties or their activities by the Alzheimers Association
1
high levels of triglycerides another blood fat: above 150 mg/dL high blood pressure: at least 130/85 blood sugar a little higher than normal: above 100 or 110 mg/dL
What is the diabetes-dementia link? Doctors
dont know yet what causes Alzheimers disease or exactly how diabetes and dementia are connected But they do know that insulin resistance, high blood sugar or diabetes can harm the brain in several ways: Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes increase the risk of heart disease and stroke These conditions hurt the heart and blood vessels Damaged blood vessels in the brain may contribute to Alzheimers disease The brain depends on many different chemicals Too much insulin may upset the balance of these chemicals Some of these changes may help trigger Alzheimers disease High blood sugar causes inflammation This may damage brain cells and help Alzheimers to develop Could diabetes medicines help treat or prevent Alzheimers? Scientists wonder whether Type 2 diabetes medicines can help prevent or treat Alzheimers They are testing some of these drugs to see if they help How can diabetes be prevented? Preventing diabetes may not stop dementia But diabetes causes many other health problems So, preventing diabetes is a good idea in itself Three changes can cut the risk of developing diabetes: 1 losing at least 5 percent of body weight Thats just 10 pounds in someone weighing 200 pounds 2
exercising at least 30 minutes five days a week 3 eating a healthy, low-fat diet Its also important to work with your doctor to detect the first signs of insulin resistance or diabetes Have your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checked regularly Even if you get diabetes, treating it can help prevent complications The Alzheimers Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research Created September 2007
18002723900 | wwwalzorg
2007 Alzheimers Association All rights reserved This is an official publication of the Alzheimers Association but may be distributed by unaffiliated organizations and individuals Such distribution does not constitute an endorsement of these parties or their activities by the Alzheimers Association
2
Source:diabeteswellness.net
