Can Diabetes Affect Cognitive Ability?

Yes, it can and here is how.

The most frequent cognitive deficits noted in persons with diabetes are: 

            Slowing of information processing speed 

            Slowing of motor speed 

            Decreases in vocabulary and intelligence 

            Lessening of attention span 

            Decreases in motor strength 

            Loss of memory 

The single most important factor that affects cognitive deficits in diabetes is glycemic or blood sugar control. Both too low (hypoglycemia) and too high (hyperglycemia) blood glucose can affect cognitive function. When you keep blood glucose as close as possible to normal, all of the above items improve.

Complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy may take years to occur with diabetes. Cognitive deficits however can occur much earlier (especially when hemoglobin A1C is >8.4%). 

In elderly diabetic persons this is especially true, with more than 10% showing at least some cognitive deficit. 

Okay, so what can you do to keep your brain sharp? In other words, how do you keep all your marbles?

You can keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. In keeping a tight control over your blood glucose you will sharpen your brain and prevent any further deterioration. 

There are three main ways of doing this. 

The first is to control your diet by counting your carbohydrates. Your health care professional can tell you how many carbohydrates that you should eat. 

The second method is to exercise. Exercise has been proven over and over again to lower blood glucose (and it makes you feel better). Exercise can lower your blood glucose for hours to days after you are done. Make sure to check your blood glucose both before and after you exercise to make it remains within a normal level. Your health care provider can tell you what normal levels are for you. Never start an exercise routine without checking with your health care provider.

And lastly are medications. Not all diabetics take medications but if you do, make sure you take it properly. If you receive a new prescription for a new medication make sure you ask questions of both your physician and your pharmacist until you know: 

            What the name of the medication is

            What the medication is for and why you are taking it 

            When to take the medicine.

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