Diabetes & Your Memory

By ADW|2017-10-23T15:25:13-04:00Updated: June 19th, 2012|Diabetes Management|0 Comments

People with diabetes may experience memory loss and confusion. The brain needs an ongoing blood supply and glucose to function properly. Fluctuating blood sugar levels and high blood pressure can affect the blood supply to your brain. This may cause memory problems or other related health conditions.

  • When your blood sugar gets too high or too low, it impacts the way your brain functions. This may result in memory loss and confusion. Your brain needs a constant supply of blood glucose to function properly. Test blood sugar levels regularly to be aware of fluctuations. Try to treat fluctuations appropriately.
  • Failure to control your blood sugar can cause memory loss and depression. Studies conducted by the American Diabetes Association revealed glucose related memory loss might lead to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A healthy food plan including eating on a schedule plays a major role in maintaining proper blood sugar levels.
  • Your brain has a high metabolic rate that requires a steady supply of sugar. If your diabetes is uncontrolled, you may experience prolonged periods of high or low blood sugar. This can cause problems with transmissions in your brain. You might have difficulty processing information, paying attention or concentrating. Keep your blood sugar stable, eat properly and get regular exercise.
  • Stress may also contribute toward memory loss. Cortisol is a hormone linked with diabetes that can have an impact on memory function. Prolonged levels of cortisol in your blood could cause memory loss. Maintaining a healthy weight and minimizing stress helps eliminate cortisol in your blood.
  • Blood pressure refers to the force of blood flow in your blood vessels. When these blood vessels narrow, the blood flowing through them is restricted. This situation causes high blood pressure. The brain needs a certain amount of blood to function correctly. Resulting health complications may include memory loss, heart disease and stroke.
  • Your health care provider typically uses a blood pressure machine to determine if you have high blood pressure. You might be advised to use a blood pressure cuff or wrist blood pressure monitor to keep track of your blood pressure at home. Inform your diabetes care team when your blood pressure becomes uncontrolled.
  • Lifestyle changes are often recommended to help prevent high blood pressure and related health conditions. Changes include lowering salt intake, preventing weight gain and eating whole grains. Alcohol consumption should be limited or eliminated based on the advice of your health care provider. If you smoke, it is time to quit. Regular cardiovascular exercise will help improve circulation and blood flow to your brain. Reading and staying mentally active is important to your memory as well.

The connection between diabetes and memory loss is related to fluctuating blood sugar levels and high blood pressure. Establishing and maintaining healthy habits helps your body function better. It also minimizes the potential of developing conditions such as heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

About the Author: ADW

ADW Diabetes is a diabetic supply mail order company that is dedicated to keeping diabetes management affordable. ADW takes a leading role in offering free diabetic education through Destination Diabetes, an informational component of the ADW website featuring tips and advice from diabetes and nutrition experts, diabetic recipes and more.

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