Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

A recent study in England found ‘convincing evidence that people with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.

The Study

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210308131716.htm  This week, scientists from the Queen Mary University of London released the results of their study in the Movement Disorders Journal (https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mds.28551). It appears that people with T2DM are at a more considerable risk of acquiring Parkinson’s disease than was known before now.

Researchers reviewed meta-analyses of observational and genetic data in tracking the progression of Parkinson’s disease. T2DM increases the risk of getting the disease and advances the development of the disease also.

Parkinson’s Disease

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055. What role does T2DM have regarding risk or progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). That was not reported in the results. People with T2DM appeared to have Parkinson’s more often than would be expected.

PD is the result of neurons in the brain gradually breaking down or dying. The loss of neurons produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter that sends signals between nerve cells in the body. PD symptoms appear with dopamine levels are low.

Medical scientists believe PD is genetic or triggered by environmental factors. Lewy bodies in the brain define PD. Inside Lewy bodies are clumps of alpha-synuclein that cannot break down through normal chemical means.

PD Symptoms

https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-warning-signs Loss of automatic movements such as blinking, smiling, or swinging your arms while walking are typical PD symptoms. Additionally, speech and writing changes are expected. As PD progresses, tremors, stiffness, and slow movement are early signs. Inability to express facial muscle indicating any emotion is observed often.

PD Risk Factors

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/parkinsons-disease/parkinsons-disease-risk-factors-and-causes. The list of risk factors is short. Middle age, usually around 60, is when PD occurs. It is rarely found in younger people. Genetics plays a part. The risk is small, but there. Many inherited genes are kept turned off with epigenetic actions – changes in your lifestyle.

Men have PD more than women. People working with herbicides and pesticides have higher risks. Is this a risk factor or a cause? The literature is keeping it under risks currently.

PD Complications

https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/complications. As PD advances, people have difficulty thinking, and emotional changes are observed, sometimes to the level of depression. A significant complication is swallowing and drooling. Late-stage PD patients have extreme difficulty chewing and eating.

Bladder problems and constipation are common. PD patients occasionally have sleep problems and disorders. Additionally, hypertension, fatigue, sexual and smell dysfunction, and pain are reported frequently as the disease progresses.

Conclusion

T2DM is a blood sugar regulation issue. Type 3 diabetes is a new term for Alzheimer’s disease. Inflammation across the blood-brain-barrier is a partial cause. Could the acceleration of this inflammatory effect from T2DM cause another channel in the brain to go awry?

Researchers tell us there are no prevention options available to stop PD or even Alzheimer’s disease. A healthy lifestyle is usually sufficient to prevent or moderate T2DM. Will early treatment for T2DM slow down or prevent the advancement of PD? Scientists think so.

Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com

 

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