Type 2 Diabetes - The Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease and Diabetes

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Alzheimer's disease has been associated with Type 2 diabetes, but recent research shows people who have the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease as well as Type 2 diabetes might have a different condition. Investigators at Tokyo Medical University in Japan looked at brain images of individuals with signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and found different characteristics in those with and without diabetes.

Their study, reported on in April 2013 in the journal Dementia, and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, included 175

participants with diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease and Type 2 diabetes. Brain scans were examined and compared with the signs and symptoms of the various participants. Diabetics with:

• the highest blood sugar levels,
• poorest diabetes control, and
• longest cases of diabetes

were found to lack the pattern of brain damage seen in other patients. They also showed slower progression of dementia and less difficulty recalling words, but more attention difficulties.

From this information, it was concluded the diabetics in the poorly controlled diabetic group could be suffering from the effects of high and uncontrolled blood sugar levels on the brain itself rather than from actual Alzheimer's dementia.

The actual cause or causes of Alzheimer's dementia are not known. As yet there is no definitive test to diagnose the condition in living people. Type 2 diabetes has been thought to be one cause of the disease, but it is also possible uncontrolled diabetes simply causes the same signs and symptoms.

If high blood sugar levels and all the other abnormal body chemistry that goes along with high blood sugar is only causing the same signs and symptoms as Alzheimer's disease, perhaps keeping Type 2 diabetes under control could prevent those signs and symptoms from appearing.

If, on the other hand, high blood sugar levels actually do contribute to Alzheimer's disease, then maintaining good control of diabetes could be expected to help prevent development of the dementia. Either way, controlling blood sugar levels and preventing or controlling Type 2 diabetes could be helpful in preventing dementia.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends diabetes testing in anyone over 45 years of age. Individuals under 45 should be tested if they are at high risk. People at high risk include:

• the overweight,
• the obese,
• people with a relative with Type 2 diabetes,
• those with a history of Gestational diabetes,
• anyone with high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, or
• who exercise fewer than three times per week.

Members of the following ethnic groups should also be tested:

• African-American,
• American Indian,
• Asian American,
• Pacific Islander, or
• Hispanic American/Latino heritage.

Speak to your doctor if you have any of the above risk factors.

It's no secret people with Type 2 diabetes have a significantly increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, by up to 65 percent. Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can take control of the disease and take back your health.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers