- Messages
- 116
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi All,
Thought I’d start a thread on the above subjects as I feel this is an often misunderstood/little known aspect of living with Diabetes (Type 1 in particular), and it’s very difficult to explain, describe and make understandable to non-diabetics.
Would love to hear opinions/your experiences regarding this issue.
Just a little background to clarify what this post concerns;
Firstly, the brain requires a constant source of glucose to function normally/optimally. It’s an extremely complicated engine that controls all aspects of mental function, movement, emotions etc.
The body (of a normal person) is EXTREMELY efficient at managing/regulating brain blood sugar, and keeps a constant stream of glucose to the brain (as long as they aren’t starving themselves or binging excessively)
However with Type 1 diabetes, we have to regulate those blood sugars ourselves, as our Pancreases/Beta Cells neither produce Insulin or Amylin. It’s Impossible to replicate the body’s efficiency, however ‘relatively good’ control is achievable through vigilance and low GI/Low carb diets/exercise;
Now, what are the (Short Term and Long term) adverse consequences of these fluctuations (just to emphasise, the greater the highs/lows (flux) the more pronounced the effects);
1. Low Blood Sugar causes brain cells (neurons) to die through absence of fuel. In addition, the brain is unable to function at its best; unable to think clearly, reduced cognitive abilities, memory issues. The greater the low the worse the effect; a minor hypo can still have a significant effect, usually an individual will be back to normal an hour or 2 after the episode) however severe hypos (3 and below) disrupt brain chemistry and it can take up to 72 hours to return back to a normative state. – I Experienced regular hypos like this in my formative years; not nice.. Impacts your life significantly.
2. High Blood Sugar also has a detrimental effect and causes ‘brain fog’ in the short term. I find that my concentration reduces significantly if my blood sugar is above 10. Interesting article here pertaining to research on the detrimental effect of elevated blood sugars on the brain; Brain shrinkage, diminishment of brain function markers) (http://www.drperlmutter.com/elevated-blood-sugar-shrinks-brain/?hvid=4x5QO)
3. Emotional Lability; I won’t dwell on the science of this issue, however I can testify to the effect of fluctuations on my mood, outlook and personality. In essence, I feel best when my BS are tightly controlled, going low makes me feel terrible and effects my mood significantly, similarly being high affects my mood a lot too.
In closing, I strongly believe lifestyle choices (being disciplined with food, making sensible food choices, following a robust testing/insulin regime) make a massive difference in both Short and Long term mental function/health of Diabetics. It’s a constant struggle for me, however I’m at a place now where my control is good, and consequently I’m a lot happier.
Thought I’d start a thread on the above subjects as I feel this is an often misunderstood/little known aspect of living with Diabetes (Type 1 in particular), and it’s very difficult to explain, describe and make understandable to non-diabetics.
Would love to hear opinions/your experiences regarding this issue.
Just a little background to clarify what this post concerns;
Firstly, the brain requires a constant source of glucose to function normally/optimally. It’s an extremely complicated engine that controls all aspects of mental function, movement, emotions etc.
The body (of a normal person) is EXTREMELY efficient at managing/regulating brain blood sugar, and keeps a constant stream of glucose to the brain (as long as they aren’t starving themselves or binging excessively)
However with Type 1 diabetes, we have to regulate those blood sugars ourselves, as our Pancreases/Beta Cells neither produce Insulin or Amylin. It’s Impossible to replicate the body’s efficiency, however ‘relatively good’ control is achievable through vigilance and low GI/Low carb diets/exercise;
Now, what are the (Short Term and Long term) adverse consequences of these fluctuations (just to emphasise, the greater the highs/lows (flux) the more pronounced the effects);
1. Low Blood Sugar causes brain cells (neurons) to die through absence of fuel. In addition, the brain is unable to function at its best; unable to think clearly, reduced cognitive abilities, memory issues. The greater the low the worse the effect; a minor hypo can still have a significant effect, usually an individual will be back to normal an hour or 2 after the episode) however severe hypos (3 and below) disrupt brain chemistry and it can take up to 72 hours to return back to a normative state. – I Experienced regular hypos like this in my formative years; not nice.. Impacts your life significantly.
2. High Blood Sugar also has a detrimental effect and causes ‘brain fog’ in the short term. I find that my concentration reduces significantly if my blood sugar is above 10. Interesting article here pertaining to research on the detrimental effect of elevated blood sugars on the brain; Brain shrinkage, diminishment of brain function markers) (http://www.drperlmutter.com/elevated-blood-sugar-shrinks-brain/?hvid=4x5QO)
3. Emotional Lability; I won’t dwell on the science of this issue, however I can testify to the effect of fluctuations on my mood, outlook and personality. In essence, I feel best when my BS are tightly controlled, going low makes me feel terrible and effects my mood significantly, similarly being high affects my mood a lot too.
In closing, I strongly believe lifestyle choices (being disciplined with food, making sensible food choices, following a robust testing/insulin regime) make a massive difference in both Short and Long term mental function/health of Diabetics. It’s a constant struggle for me, however I’m at a place now where my control is good, and consequently I’m a lot happier.