If you have diabetes, you know the disease increases the risk of various health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease. What you might not know is that it may also increase the risk of dementia.
At Russak Personalized Medicine, our team specializes in diagnosing and treating prediabetes and diabetes. Taking action to keep your blood sugar in check can also protect your brain. Read on to learn how diabetes increases the risk of dementia and what you can do to fight back.
Diabetes affects multiple bodily processes that increase the risk of dementia, including:
Regardless of the type of diabetes you have, the disease prevents your cells from using blood glucose (sugar). As more and more sugar builds up in your blood, it damages your blood vessels, making it difficult for them to transport oxygen-rich blood to your brain.
Over time, this lack of oxygen can damage brain cells, and ultimately, impact your cognitive abilities. Studies have even found that poorly managed diabetes can lead to observable changes in the brain’s structure and function.
Diabetes affects how your cells respond to insulin, a hormone that helps sugar move from the bloodstream to your cells to provide energy. When cells become resistant to insulin, it affects your brain’s metabolism and increases the risk of other, more serious issues.
For example, untreated insulin resistance has been directly linked to cognitive decline. Specifically, high blood sugar seems to damage the areas of the brain responsible for memory and thinking.
A diabetes diagnosis increases your risk of 57 other chronic diseases, including heart disease and kidney disease. Unfortunately, these conditions can also damage the brain, affecting cognitive decline and making dementia more likely.
The good news is that diabetes doesn’t automatically mean you’ll develop dementia. Research shows that people who effectively manage their diabetes and keep their blood sugar within the optimal range can reduce the risk of permanent brain damage.
Even better? Adopting healthy lifestyle changes can support your blood sugar and reduce your dementia risk at the same time. We recommend following a healthy, diabetes-friendly diet, exercising at least 30 minutes daily, and taking your prescribed diabetes medication.
Working with a qualified physician is one of the easiest, most effective ways to prevent your diabetes from worsening. And, routine checkups and healthy lifestyle changes can help you manage your blood sugar and ward off potential side effects, like dementia. To schedule an appointment, contact us today. Call our office in Greenwood Village, Colorado, or book your visit online. We offer in-person and telehealth visits.
