Diabetics have higher risk for dementia
In an effort to control blood sugar, people with type 2 diabetes may buy Actos or other medications for help.
In an effort to control blood sugar, people with type 2 diabetes may buy Actos or other medications for help. The metabolic disorder puts patients at risk for several health complications, including kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, retinopathy and nerve damage. Research from Japan now adds dementia to that list.
"Diabetes is a common disorder, and the number of people with it has been growing in recent years all over the world," said author Yutaka Kiyohara, MD, PhD. "Controlling diabetes is now more important than ever."
The research included more than 1,000 subjects aged 60 years or older. After following them for 11 years, results showed that individuals who were diabetic were twice as likely to to develop dementia compared to those who had normal levels of blood sugar. Also more likely to get dementia were people who were considered pre-diabetic. The numbers didn't change after controlling for other factors such as high blood pressure and smoking, as published in the Sept. 20 print issue of Neurology.
Medications such as Actos can help maintain healthy levels of blood sugar. Patients can also control their diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and a well-rounded diet. Smoking cessation and stress management are also good ideas, according to the National Diabetes Education Program.
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