Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin, leading to high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
It is the most common type of diabetes and often develops in adulthood, although it can also affect children.
Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of diabetes, and certain health conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Type 2 diabetes can be managed through diet, exercise, medication, and sometimes insulin therapy.
Type 2 diabetes and dementia are two conditions that are linked in several ways.
People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop dementia, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, than those without diabetes.
The exact reasons for this link are not yet clear, but it is thought that high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and inflammation associated with type 2 diabetes may damage blood vessels and nerve cells in the brain over time, increasing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
However, a recent study from Sunnybrook Research Institute suggests that a class of medications for type 2 diabetes, known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, may help reduce the risk of dementia in older people with the condition.
The medication is called a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, and it was found to be linked to a 20% lower risk of dementia compared to another type of medication called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4).
SGLT2 inhibitors work by causing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through urine, while DPP4 inhibitors work by blocking the action of an enzyme that destroys an insulin-producing hormone.
In the study, scientists examined Ontario health records for more than 106,000 people aged 66 years and older who were newly prescribed either SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP4 inhibitors, and who had not previously experienced dementia.
They then compared the incidence of dementia between the two groups over a period of nearly three years.
They identified cases of dementia through hospitalization with a dementia-related diagnosis, three physician claims for dementia within a specified time frame, or by the prescription of a medication used to slow cognitive decline.
Diabetes is known to increase a person’s risk of dementia, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, by up to two times.
Scientists believe that SGLT2 inhibitors might manipulate the pathophysiology at an early stage before dementia develops, which could prevent dementia in a group of people who are most vulnerable.
The team hopes to explore a newer class of diabetes drug called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, which have also shown some promise for having brain benefits.
Dementia is a general term used to describe a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
It is not a specific disease, but rather a group of symptoms that can be caused by various brain disorders.
Symptoms of dementia may include memory loss, confusion, difficulty with communication and daily tasks, mood changes, and personality changes.
Dementia is a progressive condition that worsens over time, and there is currently no cure. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
There is currently no cure for dementia, but some treatments can help manage the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
The specific treatment plan depends on the individual’s symptoms, medical history, and type of dementia.
In addition to medication, non-pharmacological treatments can also help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
These may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and music therapy. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, a healthy diet, and social engagement may also be recommended.
It’s important to note that dementia treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Treatment plans should be tailored to the individual’s unique needs and may require ongoing adjustments as the disease progresses.
Family and caregiver support can also play an important role in managing dementia symptoms and improving the individual’s quality of life.
The study was conducted by Walter Swardfager et al and published in the journal Diabetes Care.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about best way to achieve type 2 diabetes remission, and oranges may hold the key to reducing obesity and diabetes.
For more information about dementia, please see recent studies that common antibiotic drug may treat frontotemporal dementia, and results showing these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
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