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How Does High Blood Sugar Affect The Brain

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Some Of The Key Symptoms Of An Overdose On Sugar

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Brain

When you consume more sugar than you should be one day, its not a big deal. Or even when you do it for a week straight, and possibly even a month. However, when it becomes a habit to grab a pop for lunch, and have dessert after every meal, and even start to bring sugary snacks with you in the car, eventually the problems will begin to build up.

For example, in extreme cases, overconsumption of sugar has led to insulin resistance and dementia, which both stem from the root cause of brain damage. Thus, not just your bodys health is under threat from this deeply important and relatively unknown health concern. With too much sugar, your memory can start fading, and your thinking speed can actually start slowing down as more and more sugar becomes present in your bloodstream around your brain, which has been shown to be toxic to the brain cells present there. It can even kill your brain cells.

Emotional And Mental Balance

Too much sugar leaves us prone to mood swings as it zaps up our stores of vitamin B and blocks chromium receptors, both of which are natural emotionally balancing chemicals. This can lead to irritability, anxiety, aggressive behavior and dramatic mental peaks and valleys.

There is more and more evidence for connections between our gut health and brain health. Gut health is contingent on eating more plant based, low-glycemic index foods and avoiding sugar. Sugar feeds bad bacteria in the gut, while veggies and fermented food feeds healthy bacteria. Striking this homeostasis balances us both physically and mentally.

Healthy foods to help you achieve this inner harmony are:

  • Green, non-starchy vegetables
  • Probiotic foods like fermented sauerkraut, kimchi and other vegetables

How Does Diabetes Cause Stroke

Diabetes prevents your body from processing food properly. Your body cant make insulin or cant use insulin correctly, which causes glucose to build up in your blood.

Over time, high glucose levels can damage the bodys blood vessels, increasing the chance of stroke.

Many adults with diabetes also have other health problems that can lead to stroke:

  • Extra body weight.
  • Sudden confusion.
  • Trouble seeing or double vision.
  • Weakness or numbness on one side of the body .

A stroke is a medical emergency. Get medical attention immediately if you experience any of the symptoms.

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Which Fruit Is Good For Diabetes

taking insulin usually examine their blood sugar a lot much less frequently If you ve diabetes, your healthcare provider will work with you to personalize your goal blood sugar levels to meet your individual well being wants.

Keep a notebook useful or use an app to track your eating Healthy eating might help you prevent, management, and even reverse diabetes And with the following pointers, you probably can still enjoy your food without feeling hungry or disadvantaged.

Prediabetes means your blood sugar degree is greater than regular, but it is decrease than the diabetes vary It additionally means you may be at larger risk of getting sort 2 diabetes andheart illness Regarding age, data exhibits that for each decade after 40 years of age no matter weight there is a rise in incidence of diabetes The prevalence of diabetes in persons 65 years Racist blood sugar of How Does High Blood Sugar Affect The Brain age and older is round 25 Type 2 diabetes can additionally be more frequent in certain ethnic teams.

The solely information she gave me was to vary his food plan and get the levels checked again in three months Is that a normal response or is there one thing else I have to be doing I even have no perfect what the numbers mentioned and I m simply actually confused Having multiple meals per day will help diabetics in sustaining optimum glucose blood levels.

How To Prevent Brain Fog With Diabetes

Poor Memory

Preventing symptoms of brain fog with diabetes starts with keeping a stable blood sugar level.

This helps balance brain chemicals in your brain, as well as prevent blood vessel damage that can lead to cognitive problems.

If you believe your brain fog is medication-induced, speak with your healthcare provider. They may switch you to another drug or adjust your dosage to prevent low blood sugar.

The good news, though, is that brain fog isnt usually permanent, so you can reverse mental fatigue with the right treatment.

Remember, too, brain fog isnt a medical condition. Its a symptom of unstable blood sugar.

A healthier diet and adjustments to your medication can help you manage the underlying cause of brain fog and improve cognitive function.

These measures can also lower your risk of developing future health problems like Alzheimers disease and dementia.

According to research conducted in 2015 on the effect of diabetes on cognitive function, people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a 50 percent increased risk of developing dementia.

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High Blood Sugar Levels Linked To Memory Loss

New research suggests that people with high blood sugar levels, even those who do not have diabetes, may have an increased risk for developing cognitive impairment. This is according to a study published in the journal Neurology.

Previous research has shown that people with type 2 diabetes a disorder that causes a persons blood sugar levels to become too high may increase the risk of dementia.

According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes is considered a risk factor for vascular dementia as it can damage blood vessels in the brain. This form of dementia is often caused by reduced or blocked blood flow to the brain.

But researchers from Germany now say that even those without diabetes who have high blood sugar levels may be at risk for impaired memory skills.

Hypoglycemia And The Brain

Hypoglycemia happens when your blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL and can be extremely dangerous if left untreated. When your brain doesnt get enough sugar, it shuts down the oxygen to the brain. And unlike high blood sugar, which takes time to affect the brain, when you have low blood sugar the signs are often immediate. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include feeling dizzy, shaky, or irritable, and you may have trouble walking or talking. Severe low blood sugar can cause you to pass out or have seizures. It can even put you in a coma.

Some people with low blood sugar may not have any symptoms, which can make it hard to treat early. This is why its important to check your blood sugar often, so you can treat your low blood sugar before it causes serious problems. And although its not clearly understood if low blood sugar causes long-term effects to the brain, some research does show that big dips in blood sugar may be linked to problems with depression, memory, and attention span. If you have any of these problems and have frequent low blood sugar episodes, talk to your doctor, who can help:

  • Figure out why you may be having low blood sugar episodes.
  • Adjust your medicine, if needed.
  • Refer you to a mental health counselor to help with feelings of depression.

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Effect On Mental Processing

Research has linked type 2 diabetes to a decline in mental functioning. One study looked at which mental abilities were hardest hit in middle-aged and older adults with diabetes. The results pointed to neurocognitive speed and executive functioning. These are thought to be major components of cognitive health, says researcher Roger Dixon, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Alberta.

Neurocognitive speed refers to how quickly and accurately you respond to situations. Its a useful gauge of overall brain health. Executive functioning refers to the planning, control, and monitoring of your own mental activities. Its crucial to success in everyday life, says Dr. Dixon.

The good news is that the deficits seen in this study were mild. And its possible they might be preventable. Dr. Dixon says, By controlling diabetes through medication and lifestyle changes, people may be able to control or limit its effects on the health of their brains.

What Are The Neurological Complications Of Uncontrolled Diabetes

How sugar affects the brain – Nicole Avena

Uncontrolled diabetes and fluctuating blood glucose levels can cause nerve and brain disorders in the long term. Your risk of developing cerebrovascular or neurological complications of diabetes increases the longer you have the condition. The following are some of the disorders that can be caused by unchecked Type 2 Diabetes:

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Symptoms Associated With Brain Damage From Blood Sugar Levels

While brain injuries are difficult to predict and can affect different people in vastly different ways, some common symptoms may point to an ABI related to hypoglycemia. These include:

  • Paralysis on one side of the body, as seen in some stroke victims.
  • Problems communicating, including talking and writing.
  • Problems with dexterity, mobility, and muscle coordination.
  • Trouble with balance.

Symptoms of vascular dementia often appear similar to the symptoms you might expect with other types of dementia. Because the symptoms appear slowly, it may be difficult to recognize them. Symptoms include:

  • Cognitive difficulties
  • Problems with deep and abstract concepts
  • General forgetfulness

If you have diabetes, or otherwise suffer from hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, it is imperative you keep your blood sugar under control as much as possible. If you are struggling to maintain good blood glucose numbers, talk to your doctor.

For cases of hypoglycemia, it is important to seek medical help right away if you cannot eat or drink something to reverse your low blood sugar. You may need to call an ambulance if your loved one with hypoglycemia is unconscious.

If you or a loved one has experienced hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia-related acquired brain injury, call us today at . A member of our team is standing to discuss your options.

How Sugar Impacts Memory

Throughout the body, excess sugar is harmful. Even a single instance of elevated glucose in the bloodstream can be harmful to the brain, resulting in slowed cognitive function and deficits in memory and attention.

Some research suggests high sugar consumption causes inflammation in the brain, leading to memory difficulties. A 2016 study published in Behavioral Brain Research found inflammatory markers were present in the hippocampus of rats fed a high sugar diet, but not in those fed a standard diet.

The good news, however, is this inflammatory damage from sugar may not be permanent.

A 2017 study in the journal Appetite found that the memory damage caused by sugar consumption can be reversed by following a low-sugar, low-GI diet.

In addition, research published in the journal Nutrients in 2015 found reducing sugar consumption and supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin improves working memory.

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Warning Signs Of Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia can cause both short- and long-term complications. Know the signs so that you can treat the condition as soon as you’re aware of it.

As a person living with diabetes, you know how important it is to reduce blood sugar when it is too high, a phenomenon called hyperglycemia. But blood sugar that is too low, or hypoglycemia, is equally critical to avoid.

“Hypoglycemia happens when the amount of blood glucose drops to a level that’s too low to sustain normal functioning,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, who is based in Sparta, New Jersey. “In most people, this is defined as a blood sugar level at or below 70 milligrams per deciliter .”

Hypoglycemia is common among people with type 2 diabetes, according to a review published in June 2015 in the journal PLoS One. Individuals with the condition had an average of 19 mild or moderate episodes of hypoglycemia per year and nearly one severe episode per year on average, according to the researchers. Low blood sugar was particularly common among those taking insulin.

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This decrease in blood sugar levels can cause both short-term complications, like confusion and dizziness, as well as more serious issues, including seizures, coma, and, rarely, death, according to the American Diabetes Association .

Hypoglycemia is usually the result of a too-high dose of insulin or a change in diet or exercise habits, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Is One Of The Most Common Diabetes Symptoms Brain Fog

How Does Blood Sugar Affect Memory

It can seem like diabetes and a foggy brain come hand-in-hand, but they donât have to. What else can someone with diabetes do besides managing blood sugar levels to prevent brain fog?

Nicole advises, âEating balanced meals high in nutrient dense foods at consistent intervals is crucial for blood sugar balance and thus preventing brain fog. Inconsistent and imbalanced meals can lead to low blood sugar and subsequent increased stress hormones which causes brain fog.â

âMetabolic function, including brain function, is dependent on nutrients we get from food. Nutrient deficiencies that commonly contribute to brain fog include: Vitamin D, magnesium, B-Vitamins , zinc, copper, and omega-3 fatty acids. Hormonal fluctuations, both sex hormones and stress hormones, can contribute to brain fog. Brain fog can increase during acute and chronic stress, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.â

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What Can You Do

The best defense is to control your blood sugar, eat a healthy diet, and follow all of your doctorâs instructions.

The longer your levels stay really high or low, or swing to extremes, the more likely your brain will be affected. Continuous glucose monitors are a great tool, since they measure blood sugar every 5 minutes.

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How Does High Blood Pressure Affect The Body

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

One of the biggest risk factors is high blood pressure, which is when the force of blood flowing through the blood vessels is constant and high.

If left unchecked and treated, high blood pressure can have dangerous effects not only on your heart but also on your entire body, negatively impacting your quality of life..

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Why Sugar Overdoses Lead To Dementia

So, what is the effect of sugar on the brain? Well, when your body digests sugar, it transforms this sugar glucose, which is your bodys primary source of energy. Your brain also requires a certain level of glucose to continue functioning, just like the rest of your bodys organs do. However, unlike your bodys other cells, your brain cells are not equipped to absorb or transform sugar. Rather, they just take it directly from the bloodstream, which can create a problem.

Now that your brain has sugar in it, insulin must use it, so your brain has the energy necessary to perform everyday mental and bodily functions- for instance, breathing, blinking, thinking, monitoring, operating, and more.

If the aforementioned lifestyle describes you, then your brain will often have a high level of sugar and, thus, insulin in it. This is basically drowning your brain in sugar, as it cant be converted into energy . And, then, if the brain cant get the energy it needs, this leads to brain damage and the unfortunate death of brain cells. The insulin resistance that has been developed over the years is the negative effect of what too much sugar does to your brain.

How Does High Blood Sugar Affect The Brain

High Blood Sugar leads to Smaller Brains Dr.Berg’s Tips to Regenerate Brain

The brain is an organ that needs sugar as fuel for its energy source. But if the sugar is too highly concentrated, it affects the brain tissue. Side reactions occur, and plaque starts to build up in the vessels as well as in between the nerve cells.

Nerve cells in the brain need to fire to activate the current between one nerve cell to the next. Clogging this pathway with too much glucose toxic glycation byproducts and oxidative damage results in plaque formation in the brain tissue. These are not a regular occurrence in brain tissue, but they are found in persons with increasing and severe dementia.

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Diabetes On The Brain

Scientists are still unsure exactly how type 2 diabetes might affect the brain. However, multiple factors are probably involved.

High blood sugar may directly affect either nerve cells or support cells in the nervous system, says Alan Jacobson, M.D., emeritus professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. It can also lead to damage in both large and small blood vessels. This, in turn, reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the brain. Plus, it increases the risk of having a stroke, which can kill brain cells.

In addition, type 2 diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, in which fat, muscle, and liver cells arent able to use insulin effectively. At first, the pancreas responds by pumping out more insulin. The same enzyme that breaks down insulin also breaks down a protein called beta-amyloid, which builds up abnormally in the brains of people with Alzheimers disease. With so much of the enzyme at work breaking down insulin, beta-amyloid might have more chance to accumulate.

Is The Brain Affected In Diabetes Mellitus

Didi….This is a very good question because the impact of diabetes on the brain is actually overlooked. Theoretically, one can say that since diabetes affects so many organs in the body, therefore, it might affect the brain as well. Practically speaking, it has been shown that chronic hyperglycemia leads to the release of mediators that cause chronic brain inflammation, reduce blood flow and damage the cells. In fact hyperglycemia raises the risk of having dementia and depression. The chances of becoming depressed or getting dementia increases when diabetes complications develop and decreases in diabetic people with good blood sugar control. Besides, cardiovascular complications could contribute to stroke by blocking the blood flow to the brain. Another way in which diabetes can affect the brain is ketoacidosis, that occurs most likely in Type I diabetes, where the brain cannot handle the excessive amounts of ketone bodies. We must not forget that hypoglycemia, resulting from an overdose of antidiabetic drugs, leads to hypoglycemic coma.Continue reading > >

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