Diabetes and its effects on cognitive function have been the interest of many researchers and the subject of numerous studies throughout the years. In order to understand the impact of Diabetes on cognition, an understanding of the disease is necessary. Diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when either the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly to allow glucose to enter cells. The glucose within the cells is either used for energy or stored for later use. Elevated glucose levels will harm the body (WebMd.com). Complications from Diabetes are cumulative and can cause eye, kidney, heart, nerve, or blood vessel disease. The morbidity and mortality rates of those with Diabetes are high in comparison to those in the general population as a whole.
Diabetes can be categorized into two types: Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, is a disease that develops when the human pancreas does not produce insulin at all. T1DM will usually appear before the age of 30 and is treated with subcutaneous injections of insulin, strict diet, and exercise (WebMd.com).
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), also known as Adult Onset Diabetes, occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin efficiently or the blood cells do not utilize the insulin produced effectively (WebMd.com). T2DM will more often be diagnosed in an older population and is treated with oral medications that enhance the body’s utilization of insulin, a strict diet, and moderate exercise. While the epidemiology for each type of disease is somewhat different, many of the presentations are the same.
Strict blood glucose control is the key to uncomplicated lives and longevity for those who live with Diabetes. However, glucose control is not easily achieved by Type 1 or Type 2 diabetics. Frequent bouts with both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are common among diabetics. Hyperglycemia can be described as too much glucose in the blood. While hyperglycemia yields long term complications in the areas of vascular disease, researchers have not seen short term cognitive deficits caused by elevated blood glucose. Conversely, hypoglycemia is too little glucose in the blood. Research does not support the existence of long term complications that accompany hypoglycemia (Ferguson, et al, 2003). However, researchers have observed acute short term symptoms with hypoglycemic episodes including anxiety, arousal, palpitations, shakiness, weakness, sweats, dizziness and hunger (Cryer, P. E., Davis, S., & Shamoon, H., 2003). All of which are restored soon after the blood glucose returns to normal ranges. Hypoglycemia in its most serious form can lead to loss of consciousness, coma and in extreme cases death.
I have Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
Diabetes runs in my family -- you are very brave to put it out there in the open like this. I always check my glucose when at the Dr's office. So far so good. But who know's what the future holds. Thanks for the posting.
Posted by: Lisa | June 17, 2005 at 02:53 PM