Dementia

Diabetes increases the risk of dementia. Discover some surprising facts and how to avoid becoming a statistic

Need-to-know facts

1

People living with diabetes are, on average, twice as likely to develop dementia. The chance of developing dementia is about 10 per cent for people living without diabetes, rising to 20 per cent for those living with it.

2

The diabetes-related dementia risk is higher for some types of dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms caused by more than 100 diseases that affect the brain. A recent study showed having diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer’s by as much as 65 per cent, while the risk of developing what’s called vascular dementia climbs by 138 per cent.

3

Researchers still don’t know exactly why diabetes increases the risk of dementia. One explanation is high insulin or BGLs damage blood vessels in the brain, causing brain cells to become starved of oxygen and nutrients, and eventually die. Diabetes may also contribute to the build-up of plaques and things called ‘protein tangles’ in the brain that increase risk.

4

250 Australians join the ‘dementia population’ every day. Dementia is also the second leading cause of death for Australians and costs the nation more than $15 billion a year.

5

Most types of dementia can’t be cured. So while there are ways to manage the condition, it’s important to do what you can to reduce your risk. The key things you can do are to monitor and manage your BGLs, blood pressure and cholesterol level as well as possible, and to take any medication you’ve been prescribed as instructed.

6

There’s an app that can help you lower your risk. Developed by Dementia Australia and the Bupa Health Foundation, BrainyApp (brainyapp.com.au) is a fun way to help you look after your brain health.

7

Early detection and treatment are vital. Symptoms include forgetting recent events, conversations or appointments; confusing times or places; losing things frequently; becoming lost when out; and a reduced ability to do known tasks. In addition, people who have diabetes can experience weight loss, find diabetes tasks difficult to perform, and suffer worsening blood glucose levels and frequent hypos. If you notice any of these, talk to your doctor. ■