Most people are aware of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but did you know there is a type 3 diabetes as well! It is a more obscure term. Although it is not an accepted medical diagnosis, type 3 diabetes has been discussed in the literature as a possible relationship between insulin resistance in the brain and Alzheimer's disease. This link has been described to help explain how metabolic disorders impact brain health, causing cognitive decline and dementia.

What is Type 3 Diabetes?

Type 3 diabetes is more of a misnomer because it should not be confused with type 3c diabetes, which relates to pancreatic dysfunction. The term "type 3 diabetes," on the other hand, has been loosely used by some scientists to analogously propose that Alzheimer's disease is strongly implicated with insulin resistance in the brain.

This concept was conceptualized by Dr. Suzanne de la Monte and Dr. Jack Wands of Brown University in the year 2008. This hypothesis postulated that Alzheimer's disease may be called type 3 diabetes for it bears many similarities with glucose metabolism disorder type 2 diabetes. Their concept arises from the basic principle that insulin is fundamental to blood sugar regulation, but it is also the case with the brain. When brain cells become insulin-resistant, they lose access to glucose, impairing their function.

Research published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology supports this hypothesis by indicating that insulin resistance can be a significant contributor to the occurrence of dementia, also referred to as Alzheimer's. The symptoms of memory loss and diminished reasoning are associated with impaired glucose metabolism in the body, especially in the cerebral tissue.

Symptoms of Type 3 Diabetes

Although type 3 diabetes is not a "medical term," its symptoms correlate well with Alzheimer's diseases that are known to reduce the ability to think in an efficient manner and bring down brain health. These signs are:

- Loss of memory, especially short-term.

- Poor judgment and judgment ability

- Failure in recognizing people or places familiar once.

- Failure in the process of reading, writing or processing numbers

- Anxiety, agitation, or mood changes.

- Disorganized thoughts or confusion

- Lack of impulse control

As the disease advances, patients may be afflicted with severe complications including an inability to swallow or control their bodily functions. In the final stages, most patients die from fatal complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

Causes of Type 3 Diabetes

This may not be well understood with regards to type 3 diabetes, or the exact link between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease. Some identified contributing factors include the following:

1. Insulin Resistance

Insulin acts as an important regulatory mechanism of brain functions such as memory and cognition. The reduction in insulin signaling may impair metabolism of brain cells, thus bringing about neurodegeneration.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

These diseases show a strong relationship and those individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have double chances of getting Alzheimer's. In the two, the main causes can be chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and a defect in glucose metabolism.

3. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Insulin resistance associated with obesity, stress, and an unhealthy diet is considered a cause that may increase the chances of Alzheimer's disease.

Researches in Frontiers in Neuroscience and The Lancet Neurology have also highlighted that drugs used for antidiabetic medication may be crucial for the prevention or at least slowing down the course of Alzheimer's.

Treatments for Type 3 Diabetes

In 2022, in a study in Pharmaceuticals, researchers studied biomarker uptake in brain regions implicated in the faulty uptake and metabolism of blood sugar in Alzheimer’s patients.

Emerging Therapies

Research into such treatments as intranasal insulin has also been promising. Intranasal delivery of insulin directly to the brain has been reported to enhance glucose uptake by brain cells, improve memory, and boost cognitive performance. While such clinical trials have been shown to be successful, additional research is needed for safety and efficacy.

Medications

For patients being aggressive or agitated, antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed; however, therapies such as cognitive rehabilitation as well as cognitive stimulation therapy serve to preserve memory and executive function.

Lifestyle Interventions

Diet, exercise, and stress management are critical in preventing and managing insulin resistance. A review in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease also highlighted the benefits of Kirtan Kriya meditation, which can regulate genes involved in insulin and glucose metabolism, improve sleep, and reduce inflammation.

Can Type 3 Diabetes Be Prevented?

Although type 3 diabetes is not officially recognized, its connection to Alzheimer’s disease underscores the importance of proactive measures for brain health. Some prevention strategies include:

1. Healthy Diet

Consuming a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, whole grains, and healthy fats may support brain health.

2. Regular Exercise

Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and enhances overall metabolic health.

3. Stress Reduction

Mindfulness practices, including meditation, have been shown to lower stress levels, which can reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

The term type 3 diabetes brings out the complex relationship between metabolic disorders and brain health. Even though it is not a recognized medical condition, the concept emphasizes the crucial role of insulin in brain function and its possible contribution to Alzheimer's disease. Continued research will hopefully provide hope for therapies such as intranasal insulin and lifestyle modifications.

The word dialysis can stir up anxiety and fear for many. It's often seen as a sign of life never being the same again or it's considered a "last resort. I see many patients every day who assume that dialysis is their only choice. In fact, dialysis is a life saving therapy which takes over some of the functions of the kidneys which are unable to perform them properly. Knowing about the dialysis that it will require in the future, how dialysis works, and whether it can be delayed or avoided will help you avoid unnecessary anxiety and make informed decisions.

The kidneys are incredible organs that constantly filter out excessive fluid, toxins and waste products from the blood and help to keep the body's electrolyte balance, blood pressure and red blood cell production in check. As kidney function decreases substantially, these functions are disturbed and allow the build-up of harmful substances in the body. Dialysis mimics some of these filtering functions, and works to keep a patient healthy when their kidneys no longer do so.

Dialysis is not started just because of a laboratory value as is often thought. Many people think that dialysis is meant as a next step when kidney function drops below a certain percentage. But it depends on the results of kidney function tests, symptoms, and fluid overload, as well as electrolyte problems and patient clinical condition. Some people with an advanced stage of CKD may be able to do just fine and have no indication of needing dialysis for months; others might need urgent dialysis in case their kidneys are failing very quickly or they develop very serious complications that put their life at risk.

The most frequent indications for initiation of dialysis are: very high potassium levels, symptoms of fluid overload such as breathlessness, nausea and vomiting caused by accumulation of toxins, confusion, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite or condition where the dialysis cannot be managed with medication alone. In these cases, dialysis is not a choice but a lifesaver.

Also read: When Cholesterol Isn't the Only Culprit: The Hidden Threat of Calcium in Arteries

How The Two Main Types Of Dialysis Work?

There are two types of dialysis: In hemodialysis, the blood is pumped through a dialysis machine that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood and returns the cleaned blood to the body. It's typically done three times a week in a dialysis center, but a few patients have home dialysis as an option. The process is usually a four hour per session process.

Another option is peritoneal dialysis, which involves using the patient's own abdominal lining to filter the blood. The abdominal cavity is filled with a cleansing solution, waste products and excess fluid are carried in to the solution through a permanent catheter, and the solution is drained. This treatment is often available at home and can provide a patient with more flexibility and independence. Medical suitability, lifestyle, home support and patient preference will all influence the decision on whether to undergo hemodialysis or PD.

Also read: Cefepime: Antibiotic Used For Pneumonia, UTI Linked To Higher Death Risk In Adults

Can Kidney Disease Be Slowed Or Dialysis Delayed?

A major concern patients have is if they can avoid dialysis altogether. The answer is dependent on the cause of kidney disease and the timeliness of diagnosis. However, in many cases, the kidney disease is a progressive condition over many years and there is a chance to slow the progression of the disease with appropriate medical treatment and lifestyle changes. Well managed diabetes and hypertension, avoiding unnecessary pain killers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), healthy weight, salt reduction in the diet, smoking cessation and frequent visits to a nephrologist can have a huge impact on slowing the deterioration of the kidneys.

An early diagnosis is very important. Sadly, a major drawback about chronic kidney disease is that most of the time, people don't have any symptoms in the initial stages of the disease. People are often diagnosed when they have significant kidney damage already. Routine screening is particularly important for those with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity and a family history of kidney disease. A number of simple blood and urine tests can detect kidney disease before symptoms occur.

Acute Kidney Injury And Chronic Kidney Disease Are Different

It is also crucial to differentiate acute kidney injury from chronic kidney disease. Acute kidney injury can occur if the kidneys become severely dehydrated, if the body be

“It’s only because I use my phone so much” We all know the excuse. It’s true that texting too much or using your hand in a certain way when holding your phone can be irritating and temporary. But not all your symptoms are the screen’s fault! Symptoms like tingling, burning or pins-and-needles may be due to a pinched or irritated nerve.

When Tingling And Numbness May Point To A Nerve Problem

A familiar example of such a condition is carpal tunnel syndrome, wherein pressure gets on the median nerve at the wrist, causing finger and hand numbness and tingling of your thumb, index and middle finger as well as part of ring finger, which are usually felt mostly at nighttime, or when you’re using the phone for too long.

An alternative would be compression of the ulnar nerve leading to symptom production with the little and part of the ring finger. Remaining with a bent elbow for prolonged durations can lead to increased symptoms, for example if using a telephone.

Also read: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound May Fuel Rare Brain Disorder, Study Finds

The Problem May Actually Start In The Neck

The pain doesn't always come from the hand. We could have some irritation of the nerve from a little higher up, right to from the neck. Problems with the cervical spine can be referred around the neck, and down the arm and into the hand as pain, and tingling or numbness or weakness.

That’s why just cutting back on screen time won’t help if an nerve issue is also going on. A second common error is to let your numbness progress so much that the cause becomes obvious before looking for medical care. Initial symptoms often come and go after the amount of time your nerves are compressed and can be worse if your nerves are compressed while you sleep or play an activity. Eventually, if nerve compression worsen, your symptoms may occur more often and may be paired with a weakness of the hand, or problems with the more precise dexterity manoeuvres.

Also read: Scientists Grow Human Brain Tissue Inside Mice: Could This Help Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy & Autism Research?

Dropping Objects Or Weak Grip Are Warning Signs

Warning signs People also need to be aware of early signs of damage like dropping objects; problems with buttoning a shirt; having weakened grip strength or feeling like your hand feels weak when you hold something tight; or an ongoing general weakness. Those should never be ignored. There can be a link with phones because you hold your hand in the one position when holding and looking at it for a while your wrist, your elbow, your neck. But the problem isn't necessarily the phone itself.

Whether it is a repetitive motion or it comes on from something that has already occurred such as finding out you have diabetes or even have an already injured and pinched nerve in your wrist or at your elbow or even at your shoulder. Some simple stretches, an altered grip, keeping your elbow bent at just about 90 degrees and trying not to bend your wrist way backward will all work to your benefit.

When Numbness Needs Medical Evaluation

If numbness continues or weakness is increasing, pain is intense, or the sensations spread from the neck into the arm, you may need to see a physician for further examination, including possible nerve conduction studies, imaging, or blood tests based on their findings.

Not all sensations or tingling in your hand are "phone related", although it might seem obvious. A perceived annoyance can occasionally be the start of significant nerve compression requiring evaluation.

By Dr. Nasli Icchaporia, Director Neurology, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Nagar Road, Pune - A network hospital of Manipal Hospital

When people hear about oral cancer, they often think first of smoking or chewing tobacco. However, several other risks deserve attention, especially because people who have never used tobacco can still develop the disease.

Alcohol And Its Often-Overlooked Link To Oral Cancer

One of the least understood risk factors is alcohol consumption. Although alcohol is commonly linked to liver disease, its impact on oral cancer risk is also important.

Alcohol can damage the tissue lining of the mouth through the production of acetaldehyde, a chemical compound that interferes with the cells' ability to repair themselves. It can also dry and irritate the lining of the mouth, making it more vulnerable to other carcinogens. This risk increases with consistent, regular alcohol use. In combination with tobacco, alcohol can further increase the absorption of carcinogens into oral tissues.

Also read: Indian Doctors Find Safer Chemotherapy Regimen For Penile Cancer: Why It Matters

Areca Nut, HPV And Other Risks To Know

Areca nut is another important risk factor and is considered carcinogenic. It may be consumed as supari, gutkha or paan. Regular chewing can cause oral submucous fibrosis, a condition that causes progressive stiffness of the mouth and significantly increases the risk of oral cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly certain high-risk strains, is another recognised cause of throat and oropharyngeal cancers. Chronic irritation from sharp teeth, damaged dental crowns or ill-fitting dentures may also warrant attention.

Certain chronic inflammatory conditions of the mouth, such as oral lichen planus, can cause persistent lesions and require regular monitoring, particularly when symptoms or the appearance of the lesions change.

Why Sun Exposure Can Also Affect Oral Cancer Risk

Sun exposure is another lesser-known risk, particularly for lip cancer. People who work outdoors without adequate protection can accumulate significant UV exposure over many years.

Most importantly, the mouth should be monitored whenever something unusual appears. A mouth ulcer that persists for more than two weeks, red or white patches, unexplained bleeding, difficulty swallowing, numbness, or a lump in the mouth or neck should be evaluated by a doctor.

Quitting smoking remains crucial for cancer prevention, but protecting against oral cancer requires looking beyond tobacco and recognising the less obvious risks as well.