Diabetes may not be a condition less known to people. Likewise, dementia cases can also occur. However, dementia and diabetes occurring together may not be as common as their individual occurrences. Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes may be at risk of dementia. The specialist, Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi, former director, Abbey Healthcare, puts forth that when both conditions develop, patients can see the development of various effects.
These effects can eventually make it difficult for a patient to manage his/her condition. Looking at this, Prabhy Sodhi considers it important to understand the relationship between dementia and diabetes. This can indicate how diabetes affects the other condition and what effects can be a result of this.
What is the Relation between Diabetes and Dementia explained by Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi?
A condition in which a person’s body is not able to use insulin in the proper way is called type 2 diabetes. This condition can show its occurrence in the long term. Praby Sodhi says that while it comes with many risks such as heart problems, dementia is also possible because of it.
Although there is no certainty that diabetes may always lead to dementia, a probability may be observed. Therefore, patients with this condition should be aware of its relation to dementia. In accordance with this, they should know how dementia can develop and what effects can emerge.
Prabhi Sodhi shares Development of Dementia due to Diabetes
Diabetes can cause increased blood sugar. This can be destructive for blood vessels. Also, the heart is managed by certain nerves. High levels of sugar in the blood can damage these as well. As the heart gets affected, its impact is seen on the brain as well, says Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi Abbey Healthcare (Former Director). This is one way in which dementia can gradually develop because of diabetes. Having said that, there are additional ways too in which this condition can develop.
- Hypoglycemia can occur in diabetic patients. It is a condition in which glucose deficiency is observed in the blood. This can result in dementia later on.
- High sugar in the blood can be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
What are the Effects of Diabetes on Dementia?
A patient undergoing diabetes can experience an increase in his/her weight. This increase can be greater and lead to obesity. For dementia patients, as per Praby Sodhi, obesity is a factor that can make the condition difficult to manage. Inclusive of this, there are several other effects of diabetes on dementia.
- Type 2 diabetes can bring a reduction in physical activities for dementia patients.
- They can also see health issues such as increased blood pressure.
- Another effect of this condition is high cholesterol which can affect the heart further.
- Memory-related processes can become slow.
It is important to know that diabetes can have an effect on a patient’s life expectancy too. Both conditions can individually cause a severe impact on a patient, based on certain factors. Considering the combined consequences of both, life expectancy can be short. This will again depend on how a person is managing the condition, on the whole, adds Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi Abbey Healthcare (former director). It may increase provided that the condition’s management is well taken care of.
Prabhy Sodhi views on How to Manage Dementia Together with Diabetes?
It is vital for a patient suffering from both dementia and diabetes to be mindful of his/her weight. When the same is not kept in mind, obesity can easily occur, says Prabhy Sodhi. In a condition like this one, obesity can increase the chances of certain complications. These can include heart strokes. On the other hand, when the weight is managed, a positive effect can be seen on life expectancy.
In more ways, this expectancy can be possibly increased. According to the dementia specialist, Mr. Sodhi, the following should prove to be helpful in this regard.
1. Prioritize Physical activities
As type 2 diabetes occurs together with diabetes, negative effects can be seen on the memory-related processes. The abilities to think and reason may become slow. It is believed that physical activities and exercise can sharpen maintaining such abilities. Therefore, these activities should be prioritized by patients.
Particularly for those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, exercising can be important. Extremely impaired cognitive functioning may be prevented in this way, suggests Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi Abbey Healthcare (former director).
2. Skip Processed Food
Some food items can be the cause of greater memory loss. This is especially true for items that have been processed. Food of this type can give rise to more toxins being produced. This can lead to inflammation in the body. An impact of this can be seen on cognitive processes. Looking at this, it is advisable for dementia patients to skip processed food.
Given that a dementia patient is also diabetic, she/he should avoid processed food items because of the low nutritional levels they carry. As Prabhi Sodhi also puts it, they have high levels of calories which can neither help the body cells repair nor prevent obesity.
3. Ensure Regular Treatment
It may be difficult to fully cure either diabetes or dementia. Even then, specialists believe that treatment should not be skipped. Understanding that both conditions exist together in a person, this treatment is more important for him/her.
Since the symptoms can vary from one person to another, treatment plans can also differ. In the opinion of Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi Abbey Healthcare (former director), such plans will focus on these symptoms as well as their effects. In accordance with this, the progression of these symptoms can be attainable.
Words in Ending
Whether a person is dealing with diabetes or dementia, several things need to be taken care of for managing the condition. Various activities need to be monitored that can positively or negatively affect the brain and heart. Given that both conditions together affect a person, these activities as well as the development of symptoms need to be looked at. By being fully aware of the same, patients or their close ones can manage their lives better.
