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The Question
10/09/09 11:37 AM

"Is there any connection between frequent hypoglycemic events and long term reduced brain function?"
Asked By: heie0008  
Category: Type 1

Background Info Hide
Was speaking to a doctor who I work with (who doesn't know that I also have Type 1 diabetes) about a patient of mine who was having a bit of a mental decline after having Type 1 for 40 years. The doctor made a statement that it was likely due to 40 years on having hypoglycemic episodes and that it was common to see a mental decline in patients who have had diabetes for a long time. Is this true? Is there any supportive information for this?

Expert Answers (1)

10/10/09 09:09 AM

Helloheie0008
It is unfortunate that you had to hear of a long tern effect of hypoglycemia in that way. The doctor was stating true information. The brain is completely nourished by pure glucose, nothing else. That is why there are changes in mental status like confusion, dizziness and even coma when blood glucose levels are very low. After many episodes of these extreme lows, the brain can be permanently damaged.

Information is always a powerful thing, the more you know the more dedicated you will be to remain in euglycemia (normal glucose). I hope you take this information and use it to be your best advocate and learn as much as you can about your disease. You can start by reading information on dLife about type I diabetes. If you go to the top on the page, on the right side is a SITEMAP. Clink on that and scroll down to see all dLife can offer with information on type I.

Answered By: Rita Juray
Accreditations: RN, MLT-ASCP, CCM, CDE
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