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Diabetes Drug May Reduce Dementia Risk, Study Shows – Here’s How the Two Diseases May Be Linked

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A recently published Korean study suggests that individuals with type 2 diabetes who’re prescribed a particular class of medication could also be in significantly worse shape lower risk of dementia.

Researchers compared the health outcomes of greater than 110,000 people aged 40 to 69 with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed a drug called SGLT-2 inhibitors with those of one other 110,000 patients taking a distinct class of medication, DPP-4 inhibitors. They followed the participants for a mean of 670 days.

The researchers found that after adjusting for potential confounding aspects, people taking SGLT-2 inhibitors had a 35% lower risk of developing dementia.

Diabetes is taken into account to be risk factor for dementia. So it’s not entirely surprising that treating diabetes can reduce the risk of dementia. But why would one drug reduce the risk greater than one other? And how are diabetes and dementia even related?

Diabetes and dementia

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Its job is to move glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells, where it serves as an energy source. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to supply adequate amounts of insulin, otherwise our cells will develop insulin resistance.

Dementia is attributable to changes in the brain and includes: several conditions which affect memory, considering, mood and our ability to perform on a regular basis tasks.

Diabetes has long been recognized as a risk factor for each Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementiatwo most typical types of dementia. Both are characterised by a decline in cognitive function attributable to disease of the blood vessels in the brain.

We don’t fully understand why diabetes and dementia are linked in this fashion, but there are some clues that will explain it. several possible reasons.

For example, diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which damage the heart and blood vessels. When blood vessels in the brain are damaged, it could possibly contribute to cognitive decline.

Additionally, high blood sugar levels cause inflammation, which may damage brain cells and contribute to the development of dementia.

Dementia is attributable to changes in the brain.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

Treating diabetes will help reduce the increased risk

Better blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes helps protect blood vessels and reduces inflammation in the brain.

Diabetes can initially be controlled with lifestyle changes similar to weight loss program and exercise, but treatment may include medications, similar to those taken by the study participants. Korean Studies.

Patients taking each varieties of drugs had comparable control of their blood glucose levels. But why did one reduce the risk of developing dementia compared with the other?

SGLT-2 (sodium glucose transport protein 2) inhibitors lower blood glucose levels by increasing the removal of glucose by the kidneys. These drugs are known to have positive effects also in other facets of health, including improving blood pressure, supporting weight reduction, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress (a sort of damage to our cells).

Obesity AND hypertension themselves are risk aspects for vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s dementia, so it could be that these effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors reduce the risk of dementia to a greater extent than can be expected based on higher blood glucose control alone.

Prevention vs. Cure

It is significant to emphasise that the good thing about a drug reducing the risk of developing a disease is totally separate from any suggestion that the drug may be useful in treating the disease. The best method to reduce the risk of lung cancer, for instance, is to give up smoking. However, once you could have lung cancer, quitting smoking just isn’t enough to cure it.

That said, due to the evidence linking diabetes and dementia, some diabetes medications have been previously studied as treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. And they’ve been shown to supply a point of profit for knowledge.

A nurse tests a patient's blood glucose level by pricking their finger.
People with diabetes often must take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

Semaglutide, higher known by its trade name Ozempic, belongs to a different class of diabetes drugs (called GLP1 receptor agonists). Semaglutide is currently being studied as a treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease in two clinical trials involving over 3500 patients.

These studies were inspired by observations made during clinical trials of semaglutide in individuals with diabetes, which showed lower rates of dementia in people taking the drug in comparison with those taking a placebo.

Like SGLT-2 drugs, GLP-1 class drugs are known to scale back encephalitisGLP-1 drugs also appear to scale back chemical reactions that result in the formation of an abnormal type of a protein called Tau, one among the pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease.

What’s next?

As our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia continues to expand, there will even be advances in treatments.

It is unlikely that a single drug is the answer to Alzheimer’s disease. Cancer treatment has advanced to the point where the use of “drug cocktails” or combination of medicationis already routine.

One possible future for these diabetes drugs is that we could see them as a part of a variety of therapies that combat the ravages of dementia or, even higher, help prevent it, even in people without diabetes. But we want more research before we get to that time.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Your favorite beauties were front row at Willy Chavarria SS25 show – Essence

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Getty Images / Gilbert Flores

A number of months before the 2024 presidential election (and a number of days before the primary Harris-Trump debate), one in every of New York’s hottest designers, Willy Chavarria, gave us a seat at the table for his SS25 show. Held in the town’s financial district—across from the Trump constructing and the NYSE—his latest collection, titled “América,” referenced each traditional codes and the wonder in the range of humanity.

From the square Grace Jones hair shapes and barbed wire braids to a masculine leather finish with leather eyeliner, the enormous 65-look show united minority communities. “It feels like the diversity we’d like to see at the table here in America,” hairstylist Joey George says ESSENCE.

Your favorite beauties were front row at Willy Chavarria SS25 show
Paloma Elsesser backstage at the Willy Chavarria RTW Spring 2025 show during New York Ready to Wear Fashion Week on September 6, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Photo: Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty Images)

In the primary half of the show, Willy Chavarria presented his foremost collection, which featured more groomed, classic styles. “Square shapes and a number of pompadours, inspired by the ’40s. [hair]”, says George, referring to the soap opera actor Cantinflas. Using Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray as a layered foundation with their Rough Luxurious Soft Moulding Pastesecured the carved shape with Superfine Strong Hold Hairspray.

The second half of the season, which debuted a brand new collaboration with Adidas, saw athletes like Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles and WNBA star Betnijah Laney take to the runway in a darker mood, coinciding with edgier, more athletic moments of beauty.

Your favorite beauties were front row at Willy Chavarria SS25 show
Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty Images

“The natural, fresh look of the makeup contrasts with the overall theme of the collection and the complexity that represents American identity,” says makeup artist Kuma, referring to products akin to ADDICTION TOYKO Light stick in transparent pink color and beige-gray pink“We focused on masculinity and simplicity, while emphasizing the natural finish of the leather.”

The eyes, that are the gateway to the soul of our country, were also the point of interest of the gathering. “I used Gel Eyeliner in vintage 002 leather for a bold, smoky eye look,” says Kuma, who enhanced it with a layer Mascara base, eyelash curler, fixer on the lashes. “Hair, makeup and the designer all worked together to create a cohesive look,” she says. “The clothes are the main focal point of the show, and the beauty looks complement that.”

Meanwhile, the star-studded front row featured beauties like Doechii, who rocked a smokey eye and glossy lip. Meanwhile, Tracee Ellis Ross’s usual glow was paired with red lipstick and a brightening smile. And what about Ciara? A Whitney Houston-style curly bob and chocolate lips got us ready for fall makeup.

Your favorite beauties were front row at Willy Chavarria SS25 show
Doechii attends the Willy Chavarria RTW Spring 2025 show as a part of New York Ready to Wear Fashion Week on September 6, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
Your favorite beauties were front row at Willy Chavarria SS25 show
Tracee Ellis Ross attends the Willy Chavarria RTW Spring 2025 show during New York Ready to Wear Fashion Week on September 6, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
Your favorite beauties were front row at Willy Chavarria SS25 show
Ciara attends the Willy Chavarria RTW Spring 2025 show during New York Ready to Wear Fashion Week on September 6, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Do You Wake Up With A Bang? It Could Be “Exploding Head Syndrome”

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Have you ever fallen asleep after which been jolted away from bed by the sound of a bomb exploding in your head? If so, you might have probably experienced exploding head syndrome, a mysterious and poorly understood sleep problem. Exploding head syndrome (EHS) belongs to a family of sleep disorders referred to as parasomnias. Other parasomnias include sleep paralysis and hypnotic jerks – the explanation for the unpleasant feeling of falling that we sometimes experience when falling asleep.

EHS has been known to healthcare employees for no less than 1876and apparently a French philosopher and scientist René Descartes I even have experienced this. Despite this, we all know surprisingly little about this condition.

A typical episode is characterised by the experience of a sudden loud noise or a way of explosion inside the top that happens throughout the transition from wakefulness to sleep. Sounds heard during EHS are variableand include perceptions of gunshots, slamming doors, or unspecified screams. Importantly, the sounds which can be heard are all the time temporary (a number of seconds or less), very loud, and with none obvious external source within the environment.

Next to the sounds, some people experience accompanied by temporary visual hallucinations, akin to shiny flashes. Others have also reported a sense of intense heat or a sensation of an electrical charge flowing through the upper body.

It is difficult to accurately estimate how many individuals experience EHS. One reason is just the dearth of accessible data. Only a number of studies have attempted to look at the prevalence of EHS in the final population.

One early study found that 11% of healthy adults experienced EHS, while one other test in undergraduate students, 17% of participants were found to have experienced multiple episodes of their lives. In my very own, newer study, also with undergraduate students, my colleagues and I discovered that one third in our sample experienced no less than one episode of EHS of their lifetime, with roughly 6% experiencing no less than one episode per thirty days.

These studies show that EHS is a comparatively common experience, no less than in young adults. However, it appears to be less common than other parasomnias, akin to hypnotic jerks, which occur in 70% of individuals.

Triggers

The exact explanation for EHS is unknown. While many theories have been recommend concerning the root explanation for EHS, hottest implies natural brain processes that occur throughout the transition from wakefulness to sleep. On a typical night, as we transition from wakefulness to sleep, activity within the reticular structure of the brain is reduced.

This reticular formation is a set of brain structures positioned primarily within the brain stem and hypothalamus that acts as an “on-off” switch for the brain. As reticular activity slows within the transition to sleep, our sensory cortex, which controls vision, sound, and motor movement, begins turn off.

It has been proposed that the experience of EHS is brought on by a disruption of this normal shutdown process, which ends up in a delayed and disjoint increase within the activation of sensory neural networks within the absence of any external stimuli. These temporary increases in activation are then perceived because the loud, nonspecific sounds that characterize EHS.

Although the precise neural basis of EHS stays speculative, we’re starting to learn more about other aspects that make an episode of EHS more likely. In one among the primary studies to take a look at the aspects involved, my colleagues and I discovered that well-being variables, akin to life stress, were related to experiencing EHS. This association was mediated by insomnia symptoms. In other words, life stress was indirectly related to EHS, but was not directly associated by first disrupting normal sleep patterns.

Is EHS dangerous?

Despite its provocative name, EHS is harmless. However, it is crucial to differentiate an episode of EHS from other conditions, particularly from various forms of headaches. EHS episodes are very temporary (a number of seconds) and frequently don’t involve any pain. If there’s pain, it’s mild and transient. In contrast, many headaches last more and involve much higher levels of pain.

This doesn’t mean that EHS can’t be a terrifying experience. last examination Of the greater than 3,000 participants who experienced EHS, we found that 45% of respondents reported moderate to severe levels of fear related to their EHS. A quarter of participants also reported high levels of stress in response to experiencing EHS, with increased levels of stress being related to more frequent episodes.

Unfortunately, no systematic studies have been conducted to research potential treatments and coping strategies for people combating EHS-related distress. In our studyparticipants reported that changing sleeping position to avoid sleeping on their backs, adjusting sleep patterns, and using mindfulness techniques were effective strategies to stop EHS. Whether any of those techniques will prove effective in clinical trials stays to be tested.

Encouragingly, just learning that EHS is a typical and harmless condition can go a good distance. patient case studyreassurance and education concerning the experience have been reported to stop episodes from occurring. At least for now, the very best advice appears to be to try to grasp that these experiences are natural and don’t indicate that anything is unsuitable. Simple techniques, akin to improving sleep habits, can go a good distance toward stopping stressful episodes from occurring.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

NYFW Celebrity Look Of The Day: Day 1, Ciara – Essence

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Getty photos

Ciara’s talent for fashion is difficult to disregard. Her music has all the time been a staple of the band, however it can be unfair to forget that she’s a fashion lover. On the primary day of New York Fashion Week, the singer rocked a method we’ve never seen on her dancer’s body before.

She selected a totally engrossing, oversized Willy Chavarria ensemble in a plaid that blended effortlessly as a substitute of clashing. Her puffy pants moved rhythmically as she entered the show. Her top and trench coat blended together, almost as one, single top in the event you didn’t look closely enough. Her turtleneck shirt had an asymmetrical detail at the underside, a creative silhouette that added to her already detailed look. Layered cross necklaces in gold with encrusted diamonds dangled from the highest, sparkling in the sunshine from every angle.

NYFW Celebrity Look Of The Day: Day 1, Ciara
Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

Her trench coat gracefully touched the ground, as she opted for white boots as a substitute of heels. Nevertheless, the look was elegant.

She added a couple of gold rings that appeared to cover each finger to the max, matching her large necklaces. To complete her look, she added dark aviator sunglasses that accentuated the form of her face and added an effortlessly cool element to her already trendy outfit.

As New York Fashion Week continues to unfold, we won’t wait to see more looks from Ciara and other stars in the approaching days.

NYFW Celebrity Look Of The Day: Day 1, Ciara
Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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