Ketoacidosis
One way in which diabetes can affect the brain is if it causes a condition known as ketoacidosis. When the body runs out of insulin, it is forced to break down fats for energy. One of the byproducts of this metabolism is a compound called ketones. The brain is equipped to use ketones as fuel, but they can be toxic in high doses throughout the body, making the patient extremely ill and causing a severe headache. Type I diabetics are the most likely to develop ketoacidosis, though people with type II diabetes can develop it after a severe illness as their body recovers.
Diabetes and Strokes
Another potential complication of diabetes is an increased risk of having a stroke. This is because the high levels of glucose in the blood also can cause increased cholesterol levels. In addition, elevated blood sugar can also damage the blood vessels. As a result, patients with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular problems that lead to blockages in the blood vessels, either in the form of a clot or a narrowing of a vessel. If a blood vessel to the brain becomes obstructed, the portion of the brain that receives blood from that vessel may become injured and die, leading to poor muscle control or decreased mental function.
Hypoglycemia
Diabetes can also be a factor in the development of hypoglycemia. In diabetics, hypoglycemia is typically the result of taking too much medication for diabetes. As a result, blood sugar levels throughout the body drop. This can seriously affect the brain, leading to a headache, double vision or blurred vision, extreme hunger or fatigue, dizziness, as well as confusion. These symptoms will usually go away once blood sugar levels are elevated back to normal, typically by consuming sugar.
