- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- Traffic, Dust Linked to Asthma in Kids
- 'Safe' Ozone Levels May Not Be for Some
- Herbal Remedy Could Halt Peanut Allergy
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- The Zen Way to Pain Relief
- Fish Oil's Benefits Remain Elusive
- Ginger Can Ease Nausea From Chemotherapy Treatments
- ANIMAL CARE
- Animals Respond to Acupuncture's Healing Touch
- Rest Easy. When It Comes to Swine Flu, Your Pet Is Safe
- Separation Anxiety, Canine-Style
- BONES & JOINTS
- Using a Balloon to Repair a Broken Back
- Tai Chi May Help Ward Off Knee Pain in Seniors
- Are We Exercising Pain Away? Not So Much.
- CANCER
- Massage Therapy Helps Those With Advanced Cancer
- Spice Compounds May Stem Tumor Growth
- Minorities Distrust Medical System More
- CAREGIVING
- ER Less Likely to Diagnose Stroke in Younger Folks
- Reduce Suffering, Urge Heart Failure Patients and Caregivers
- Early Exercise Boosts Outcomes for ICU Patients
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- Varicose Veins May Mask Larger Problem
- Years of Exposure to Traffic Pollution Raises Blood Pressure
- Obesity Linked to Heart Failure Risk
- COSMETIC
- Contact Lenses Boost Kids' Self-Image
- Health Tip: After Liposuction
- What to Do If You Have Unsightly Veins
- DENTAL, ORAL
- Toothbrushing May Stave Off Heart Woes
- Holistic Dentistry-My View
- Scientists Find Gene for Tooth Enamel
- DIABETES
- Fish Twice a Week Cuts Diabetics' Kidney Risks
- Insulin Resistance Tied to Peripheral Artery Disease
- Diabetes Linked to Cognitive Problems
- DIET, NUTRITION
- Mediterranean Diet Enriched With Nuts Cuts Heart Risks
- Adults Need To Get Thier Food Facts Straight
- Fatty Acid in Olive Oil Wards Off Hunger
- DISABILITIES
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Radiation Exposure Linked to Aggressive Thyroid Cancers
- Vest Monitors 'Individual' Air Pollution
- Showerheads Harbor a Bounty of Germs
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Sports Eye Injuries Leading Cause of Blindness in Youths
- Poor Night Vision May Predict Age-Related Eye Disease
- Time Teaches Brain to Recognize Objects
- FITNESS
- Consciousness Helps the Mind and Body Work Together
- Being Active an Hour a Day Puts Brakes on Weight Gain
- Daily Exercise at School Yields Rewards
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- New Guidelines Issued for Management of IBS
- HRT Use Raises Risk of Stomach Trouble
- New Yogurt May Ease Stomach Ulcers
- GENERAL HEALTH
- Healthy Eating While On Vacation
- Want to Stop Cancer? You Can, Experts Say
- Chinese 'Devil Dung' Plant Could Be a Swine Flu Fighter
- HEAD & NECK
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- Subway Defibrillators Save Lives
- Study Suggests Link Between Cell Phones and Brain Tumors
- Airport Full Body Scanners Pose No Health Threat: Experts
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Research Shows Genetic Activity of Antioxidants
- A Little Chocolate May Do the Heart Good
- Man's Best Friend Helps Mend Broken Hearts
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Surgical Masks Could Prevent Flu, Maybe
- Dry Weather Boosts Odds of Flu Outbreaks
- Bacterial Infections May Succumb to Honey
- KID'S HEALTH
- Plastics Chemical Tied to Aggression in Young Girls
- Exercise Eases Obesity and Anger in Kids
- Music May Temper Pain in Preemies
- MEN'S HEALTH
- Whole Grains, Bran May Fight Hypertension in Men
- Lots of Sex May Prevent Erectile Dysfunction
- Soy Linked to Low Sperm Count
- MENTAL HEALTH
- A Simple 'Thank You' Brings Rewards to All
- Reminiscing Helps Build Emotional Strength
- Optimism May Boost Immune System
- PREGNANCY
- Pregnant Women Exposed To Certain Pollutants Could Lower Childs IQ
- Exercise Boosts Bone Density in Breast-Feeding Moms
- Acupuncture May Ease Depression During Pregnancy
- SENIORS
- Video Gaming Just Might Fight Aging
- Nighttime Urination Linked to Higher Death Rate Among Elderly
- The Juice From Beetroots May Boost Stamina
Out-of-Control Blood Sugar May Affect Memory
By eHolistic.com Published: 05/08/2009
THURSDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- A rise in blood sugar levels causes poorer brain function in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a study that included nearly 3,000 people aged 55 and older at 52 sites in Canada and the United States.
The participants, who were part of a larger study on cardiovascular risk in diabetes, underwent cognitive tests designed to measure several aspects of memory function. The researchers found that a 1 percent increase in A1C levels (average blood glucose levels over a period of two to three months) was associated with slightly lower scores on tests of psychomotor speed, global cognitive function, memory and multi-tasking.
However, no link was found between tests scores and daily blood glucose levels, which are measured by a fasting plasma glucose test.
The findings appear in the February issue of Diabetes Care.
"One of the little-known complications of type 2 diabetes is memory decline leading to dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease," principal investigator Dr. Jeff Williamson, of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, said in a news release from the university.
"This study adds to the growing evidence that poorer blood glucose control is strongly associated with poorer memory function and that these associations can be detected well before a person develops severe memory loss," he said.
Previous research has shown that people with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely than those without diabetes to experience cognitive decline and develop dementia.
Williamson said that "people with type 2 diabetes and their health-care providers need to be careful in situations where there is education and teaching about diabetes care, as patients may need a little more time to absorb and process information."
And he urged people with diabetes to "be open to having a family member periodically making sure they are keeping track of managing their diabetes through monitoring, diet, exercise and medication."
More information
The U.S. National Diabetes Education Program has more about controlling diabetes.
-- Robert Preidt
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, news release, Feb. 11, 2009
Last Updated: Feb. 19, 2009
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