Type 3 diabetes is a type of diabetes not yet officially recognized that is believed to be associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease and symptoms such as difficulty with thinking and memory or changes in behavior.
Diabetes is a disease that results in inadequate blood glucose control, and although type 3 diabetes is not yet officially a classification of diabetes, it appears to be caused by an inability of the brain to respond to the hormone insulin.
Read too: Diabetes: what it is, symptoms, types, causes and treatment
If type 3 diabetes is suspected, it is recommended to consult a neurologist. Although there is no specific treatment, there are medications that can alleviate symptoms and delay the development of Alzheimer’s.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of type 3 diabetes are:
- Difficulty performing daily tasks and/or taking care of yourself;
- Changes in mood or behavior;
- Mental confusion, disorientation in time and space or difficulty reasoning;
- Not remembering names, specific words or recent events.
The symptoms of type 3 diabetes are similar to those of other dementias, especially Alzheimer’s disease, which is believed to be associated with this type of diabetes. Know the main symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
How to confirm the diagnosis
There is no specific test that can confirm the diagnosis of type 3 diabetes, which is not officially recognized as a type of diabetes. Therefore, more studies are needed until this condition is accepted by the medical community as a diagnosis.
However, the neurologist can confirm whether the person has Alzheimer’s through a detailed evaluation, which may include imaging tests, such as MRI, and tests to check reasoning and memory, for example.
If you want to make an appointment, find a neurologist closest to you using the tool below:
Possible causes
It is believed that type 3 diabetes is caused by the brain’s difficulty in responding to the insulin produced by the body, due to changes in the receptors for this hormone present in neurons.
Furthermore, the risk of type 3 diabetes appears to be higher in people with a genetic predisposition who have a high-fat diet and in some cases of type 2 diabetes.
Read too: Type 2 diabetes: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
How the treatment is carried out
There is no specific treatment for type 3 diabetes. Although the effects of antidiabetics that are normally indicated for type 2 diabetes in this condition are being studied, more studies are needed to prove whether there really is any benefit from their use.
However, if it is found that the person is developing Alzheimer’s, the doctor may recommend medications such as rivastigmine, donepezil or memantine, which can alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. See how Alzheimer’s disease is treated.
Furthermore, in case of type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, it is recommended that your treatment be carried out according to your doctor’s instructions to keep blood glucose levels under control and prevent the disease from worsening quickly.
