Amid the global trends of aging populations and decreasing birthrates, the number of people living with chronic illnesses is rising, especially those with diabetes and dementia, and studies have shown there might be a link between the two.
The number of dementia cases worldwide last year increased by 10 million, and is expected to reach 150 million by 2050, Alzheimer’s Disease International’s latest data showed.
In Taiwan, there are 3.4 million people aged 65 or older, among which 280,000 have dementia, meaning that there is one dementia case for every 84 Taiwanese, Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association data showed.
The association forecast that in the next 47 years, the number of people who develop dementia would average 36 per day, or one every 40 minutes.
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital physician Lin Chia-hung (林嘉鴻) said that a direct cause of dementia had not yet been identified, but a growing number of studies have suggested a link between dementia and diabetes.
That is why “type 3 diabetes” has become a newly proposed term to describe the hypothesis that Alzheimer’s disease — a major cause of dementia — is triggered by a type of insulin resistance and insulin deficiency that occurs specifically in the brain, Lin said.
“Due to medications or dietary habits, diabetes patients often experience low blood sugar, which increases the risk of brain cell damage,” he said.
The reason that dementia is considered “diabetes in the brain” by some people has to do with insulin resistance, Lin said, adding that impaired glucose metabolism in the brain leads to degeneration and dysfunction of brain cells.
As diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis — a hardening of the arteries — a lack of oxygen in the brain can occur, affecting brain functions, he said.
Dementia is not exclusive to old people, as the younger a person is when diagnosed with diabetes, the higher their risk of diabetes complications, especially in patients with poorly controlled blood sugar levels marked by great fluctuations, Lin said, adding that a majority of studies on links between dementia and diabetes concerns type 2 diabetes.
Also a diabetic himself, Lin said he always stresses to his patients the importance of glycemic control, which is practiced by eating foods high in fibers, such as vegetables and fruits, and low in fats, sugars and with a low glycemic-index rating.
Oatmeal and brown rice are better options than refined carbohydrates, such as pork buns, steamed buns and bread, he said, adding that eating three meals at regular times and with consistent amounts also helps.
In addition to medication and maintaining a healthy diet, controlling blood pressure and lipids also helps with lowering the risk of diabetes complications, as well as cross-departmental care in the prevention of the narrowing and hardening of arteries, he said.
A strong continental cold air mass is to bring pollutants to Taiwan from tomorrow, the Ministry of Environment said today, as it issued an “orange” air quality alert for most of the country. All of Taiwan except for Hualien and Taitung counties is to be under an “orange” air quality alert tomorrow, indicating air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. In China, areas from Shandong to Shanghai have been enveloped in haze since Saturday, the ministry said in a news release. Yesterday, hourly concentrations of PM2.5 in these areas ranged from 65 to 160 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m³), and pollutants were
Taiwan’s armed forces have established response protocols for a wide range of sudden contingencies, including the “Wan Chun Plan” to protect the head of state, the Ministry of Defense (MND) said today. After US President Donald Trump on Saturday launched a series of airstrikes in Venezuela and kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, concerns have been raised as to whether China would launch a similar “decapitation strike” on Taiwan. The armed forces regularly coordinate with relevant agencies and practice drills to ensure preparedness for a wide range of scenarios, Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) told reporters before a
EVA Airways on Saturday said that it had suspended a pilot and opened an investigation after he allegedly lost his temper and punched the first officer several times as their plane was taxiing before takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport. According to a report published on Thursday by The Reporter, the incident occurred after the flight’s Malaysian first officer tried to warn the Taiwanese pilot, surnamed Wen (文), that he was taxiing faster than the speed limit of 30 knots (55.6kph). After alerting the pilot several times without response, the first officer manually applied the brakes in accordance with standard operating
The New Taipei City Social Welfare Department on Thursday celebrated Paralympic competitor Chen Tzu-wei (張孜維), who received last year’s national Golden Eagle award for exemplary achievement by Taiwanese with disabilities. Chen, who suffers from childhood-onset muscular dystrophy, did not attend the first award ceremony held by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in November due to illness. Chen was formally presented with the award at the department, where he gave thanks to government workers for supporting his education and livelihood, the department said in a statement. Chen was raised by the Ai-hsin Home for Persons with Disabilities in the city’s Bali District (八里)
RSS