Millions of people with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. But the health problems don’t end there. Diabetes appears to double a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study from Japan.
The study, which looked at 11 years of patient records for more than 1,000 men and women over the age of 60, found that those with type 2 diabetes were twice as likely to develop the debilitating disease within 15 years.
Additionally, they were at higher risk for other types of dementia. The study was published in the journal Neurology.
Many people can prevent type 2 diabetes by losing weight and learning to eat healthy foods regularly.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
- Difficulty in planning and solving problems.
- Difficulty doing familiar tasks at home.
- Losing track of dates, seasons and the passage of time.
- Difficulty reading or judging distance.
- Developing speaking and writing problems.
- Losing items and ability to retrace steps.
- Poor judgment with money and lack of hygiene.
- Withdrawl from work and social events.
- Mood and personality changes.
Visit the Alzheimer’s Association website to learn more about typical age-related changes versus the signs of Alzheimer’s.
+ Read about Obesity Risks
+ Learn More about Diabetes Care Plans