South Louisiana Medical Associates – What’s Up, Doc 2023
June 2, 2023
Houma Health and Wellness – What’s Up, Doc 2023
June 2, 2023
We grow, we learn, we age, we forget. Or do we? New research shows that our brains actually change over our lifetimes, adapting and meeting the challenges at each stage.
Of all life’s milestones, none may be more pronounced than those associated with brain development. Research shows that a healthy lifestyle helps brains age better. Memory naturally declines with age, but the better we treat our brains along the way can lead to healthier brains as we get older.
Brain Health
Healthy lifestyle habits, from diets to active social lives, can slow memory decline. Here are six habits to keep the brain and rest of our bodies, healthy:
Balanced diets—Eating appropriate daily servings of at least 7 of 12 major foods: fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, dairy products, salt, oil, eggs, cereals, legumes, nuts and tea.
Exercise for the mind and body—Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity a week and exercising the mind at least twice a week by reading, playing cards, crossword puzzles, or video games.
Social life—Keeping up with family and friends socially at least twice a week. Johns Hopkins researchers estimate that people who are socially isolated have a 28% higher chance of developing dementia.
Limited alcohol consumption and no smoking—People who never drink or only occasionally and never smoked show slower rates of memory decline.
Signs of Dementia
While our brains are mostly set at birth, the ways that different parts of the brain communicate with each other changes throughout our lives. This accounts for increases and decreases in our cognitive abilities.
Dementia is the umbrella term for a number of conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, that results in decreased cognitive functions. Seeking early care, following healthy lifestyle habits and being aware of environmental toxins increase chances of preserving our memory and preventing dementia.
Risk Factors and Signs of Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association defines the disease as a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia.
While the disease is progressive with no known cure, new advancements in treatment and medication give hope to patients and their caregivers. The biggest risk factor is age, as the disease typically affects people 65 years and older.
Other risk factors include:
- Family history
- Genetics
- Head injury
Heart disease—overall heart health seems to protect brain health.
The American Alzheimer’s Association recommends being aware of these early signs of Alzheimer’s:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Changes in ability to plan or problem solve
- Difficulty completing everyday tasks
- Vision problems such as difficulty judging distance or determining colors and contrasts
- Confusion with time or place; forgetting where we are or how we got there
- Struggling with words in conversation or writing
- Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Sudden changes in mood and personality
If you or someone you know displays any of these signs, confide in someone you trust and see a doctor. The Alzheimer’s Association also offers a 24-hour helpline, 800-272-3900.
For more information contact Thibodaux Regional Neurology Clinic, 985.493.3090.
