A new study led by the folks over at the Joslin Diabetes Center further proves that tight blood sugar control can considerably reduce one's risk of developing such complications as heart disease, eye problems, nerve damage, and kidney problems. But, the downside is that the researchers also found that tight glucose control was sometimes associated with frequent and/or severe hypoglycemia.
With blood sugars running low, people with type 1 can suddenly find themselves feeling disoriented, distressed and in some extreme cases, convulsing and losing consciousness. With respect to these much-more sudden complications, the researchers wondered if hypoglycemia could, over time, impair a person's cognitive ability.
Following type 1 patients for 12 years, all of which who experienced hypoglycemia countless times over that time span, the researchers found that there did not appear to be any long-term damage to cognitive function. So, definitely a big victory there. Still, doctors wonder if hypoglycemic episodes in young children have any lasting cognitive effects -- not only because a child is still in a developmental phase at that stage in their life, but also because there were not any patients under 13 years of age who were analyzed for the aforementioned study.
1. With respect to these much-more sudden complications, the researchers wondered if hypoglycemia could, over time, impair a person's cognitive ability.
This seems well and good--but ignores the impact of potential IMMEDIATE hazards, such as driving, operating dangerous equipment, or, perhaps, just walking across the street. And since the studies participants were in neither of the most "at-risk" groups (the very young and the very old) . . . how much was spent to bring us this "important" information? Could those funds have been better spent looking for a cure?
Before funds are spent on a study involving U.S. youngsters, it should be recognized that researchers in the U.K. have already explored this aspect. Published results indicate that there is evidence low blood sugar levels did damage brain stem and development in young children.
Posted at 7:45AM on May 16th 2007 by Melody