5 Warning Signs Someone Has Dementia

Like most diseases that severely affect cognitive performance, dementia is a tragic and painful condition. In this article, we will discuss what dementia (and other), and some warning signs of the condition and methods of treatment.

What is dementia?
According to the Alzheimer’s organization, dementia is a general term for low mental capacity that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss and Alzheimer’s – the two most common forms of dementia – are two examples. Dementia is, in general, a gradual decline in thinking, thinking and thinking skills.

Dementia itself is not a specific disease. Instead, the term applies to a set of symptoms that may indicate a severe cognitive disorder. Because of the complex nature of the disorder, dementia can only be diagnosed by a licensed doctor (usually a neurologist).

Types of dementia
As we have mentioned, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 per cent of all cases. Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal disorder that deviates from brain cells and cognitive functions. Unfortunately, people with Alzheimer’s often notice changes in themselves; this makes it difficult to explain what they are experiencing to friends, family, and others.

The second major cause of dementia is called vascular dementia – a form of dementia caused by a stroke. Mayo Clinic is characterized by a stroke as follows:
Stroke occurs when the blood flow is interrupted or reduced to your brain. This deprives your mind of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause the death of your cells. Stroke may occur due to a blocked artery (stroke), leakage or explosion of blood vessels (hemorrhagic stroke).

What dementia is not
As mentioned, dementia is a complex medical condition. However, ignorance has led people to believe that it is age-related – it is not. For each organization Alzheimer’s disease:
Dementia is often referred to incorrectly as “dementia” or “dementia,” which reflects the belief in the past, but it is not true that serious mental decline is a natural part of aging. Changes in memory often occur (not always) with age.

The main difference between any “age-related” memory problems and dementia is the degree to which everyday life is affected. Everyone forgets something at some time or another, or experiences severe episodes of “brain fog”. Many people have problems with memory and thinking problems clearly – this does not mean that they have dementia.

Given the complexity of the subject, we recommend that anyone suffering or knowing someone with cognitive problems seek medical advice.

Here are 5 possible signs of dementia:

1. Difficulty planning or solving problems
Some people with dementia have sudden changes in their ability to develop and follow the plan. Once simple tasks, such as tracking bank balances or following a recipe, for example, become more complex. It is also common during the onset of dementia to experience increasing problems of concentration.

2. Problem with familiar tasks once

One of the most obvious signs of dementia is the low ability to complete routine tasks. A person may be unable to navigate a familiar path or forget how to play a favorite game. Usually, doing something normal is deeply rooted neuroscience. One is able to be completed “without thinking”. Any noticeable changes in a person’s ability to complete a joint task require attention.

3. New problems when communicating

People suffering from dementia often have problems after the conversation. They may stop interacting, or forget something they have said (they may repeat themselves), or have no idea how to proceed. Vocabulary challenges are also common, such as inability to find the right word.

4. Withdrawal from social activities or work

When a person begins to experience the cognitive challenges brought on by dementia, he or she may begin to remove himself from work or social activities. Part of this withdrawal may be due to personal changes, fear or denial. Regardless of the rationale, some sufferers of dementia gradually become distant.

5. Subversive amnesia of daily life

Again, the basic phrase is “disorder in daily life”. Memory gaps occur for all of us, but these lapses rarely make a big handicap nowadays – if that happens – rarely. During the early stages of dementia, forgetting information that has been learned recently is one of the most common signs of the underlying condition.
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8 Dead Simple, Science-Backed Ways To Improve Memory and Rid Brain Fog

Irrespective of age, often, we go to a place to pick something, then forget as to why we went there. I'm sure this has happened to many of you out there. But such incidents aren't always associated with memory loss.But concern may arise when they interfere with most of our daily activity. Unfortunately, we now live in a world where our attention span is less than a goldfish, but if a walk in the park or a vacation doesn’t seem to help your memory or focus, or people close to you begin to notice your inconsistencies, then consider speaking with your doctor to discern all potential causes.

The Causes of Brain Fog

Brain fog is not a medical term, though usually interpreted as forgetfulness, confusion, lack of mental clarity, and lack of focus, and may be due to a single or any combination of issues such as  hormonal imbalances, stress, poor diet, gut issues, blood sugar dysregulation, insomnia, thyroid issues, mood disorders, fatigue, medication, pregnancy, autoimmune diseases, and dementia, to name a few. 

Your knowledgeable healthcare professional will ask questions to help rule in or rule out certain conditions, may perform physical exams as appropriate, and potentially order certain blood work, imaging, or perhaps additional tests that may not be covered by insurance. A diagnosis certainly helps guide a treatment plan (then it addresses the cause of concern), however, regardless of the results there are many lifestyles and natural approaches that can improve function as well as overall health.

How To Prevent Brain Fog – Lifestyle Changes

New neuronal connections and ‘rewiring’ the brain is important for us both as a species, and throughout our daily life in order, to adapt to new scenarios. To strengthen these connections on a regular basis, ensure that you are, being social, and seek to play more brain games, switch up your routine (e.g. brushing your teeth with the opposite hand), and continuously learn new skills and knowledge to foster these attachments. 

Exercise (especially aerobic from walking to running) is also incredibly important in enhanced learning due to new hippocampal connections (responsible for learning and memory), as well as being able to help address post-stroke rehabilitation, stress, and depression. Consider working with a fitness professional if you’re starting a brand new regimen, or interested in increasing your fitness goals.

Sleep is critical to overall health as it helps solidify those new neuronal connections, encoding information, and memory, in addition to melatonin being our most potent endogenous (we make it ourselves) antioxidant. We can get the most value once asleep around 10/10:30 pm, as it’s made between 11pm-3am. It also varies inversely with cortisol, our stress hormone, which can actually impair memory formation. Outside our body, our potential constant exposure to environmental toxins such as like heavy metals and fragrance in our beauty and cleaning products can be an additional obstacle to overcome in achieving mental clarity.

How To Prevent Brain Fog – Dietary Changes

Nutritionally, decreasing sugar consumption (especially artificial sweeteners, as they have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease- also known as Type 3 Diabetes) is the most important step. This also includes simple carbohydrates (especially those from white flour), and alcohol as these two get metabolized quickly to turn into sugar and promote inflammation.

In addition to cutting back sugar, opt for  more Mediterranean based diet by increasing consumption of vegetables, especially dark leafy greens and cruciferous, as well as healthy fats (most of our brain is comprised of fat) like olive oil, fish (wild caught is best), avocado, and coconut oil; this can both preserve and boost brain function. 

Lastly, consider an elimination diet, diet diary, testing, or any other method that can also rule out a potential food allergy, sensitivity or intolerance  (e.g. gluten intolerance can commonly lead to ‘brain fog’). Poor gut health can affect absorption of important vitamins and minerals that not only affect brain health but overall health as well. Furthermore, the gut is now touted as the second brain, making the same neurotransmitters as our brain and uses the vagus nerve to ‘talk to’ the brain in what we need. There are strong links between our gut integrity and brain function .

How To Prevent Brain Fog – Therapeutic Supplements

Supplements are meant to supplement, not replace an unhealthy lifestyle, so as these changes are being implemented, it can be helpful to add in these brain boosting nutrients for extra support. Vinpocetine, for example, can help improve memory and concentration by increasing blood flow to the brain, uptake of glucose to neurons, and increase levels of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter, which is especially important to regions related to memory.
Vitamins C & E are potent antioxidants and studied to also have beneficial effects on memory (especially E) as the brain is a vulnerable organ to aging and oxidative stress. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is also noted to support cellular production and cognitive benefits especially as it can cross the blood brain barrier (participates in energy production within the brain). Additional therapeutics include CoQ10 (involved in cellular energy), alpha lipoic acid (great antioxidant, good for cell membranes), and fish oil (especially DHA).

Brain Fog – The Bottom Line

To recap:

1. Stay social
2. Switch up your routine
3. Keep learning
4. Exercise
5. Sleep well
6. Swap sugar, carbs, and alcohol for healthy fats
7. Test for food sensitivities
8. consider supplements

The majority of conditions in current times have multiple risk factors and reasons for developing, so while a single supplement or pharmaceutical may help, it’s imperative to discern and treat the reason why dis-ease is present not only for relief but for prevention. Before beginning any therapies, best to discuss with your knowledgeable health care professional who is also aware of potential herb/drug/nutrient interaction, and quality of potential supplements. Fortunately, many of the strategies used to strengthen brain health can also cross over to enhancing overall health.

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Studies suggest social media may have health benefits for older adults

Research indicates older adults who use social media are less prone to depression, high blood pressure, and diabetes. 

Contrary to popular belief, older adults enjoy emailing, instant messaging, Facebook and other forms of social technology which may benefit their mental and physical health, a new study has claimed.

The study by researcher William Chopik from Michigan State University in the US has found that social technology use among older adults is linked to better self-rated health and fewer chronic illnesses and depressive symptoms. "Older adults think the benefits of social technology greatly outweigh the costs and challenges of technology," said Chopik, assistant professor of psychology. "And the use of this technology could benefit their mental and physical health over time."
 
Using data from 591 participants in the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study, Chopik examined the benefits of using technology for social connection among older adults (participants' average age was about 68). Social technology included email; social networks such as Facebook and Twitter; online video or phone calls, such as Skype; online chatting or instant messaging; and smartphones.

Previous research on technology use across the life span has focused on the digital divide or the disparities between younger and older adults painting a rather bleak picture of seniors' ability and motivation to adapt to a changing technological landscape. 

However, Chopik's findings challenge this interpretation. More than 95 per cent of participants said they were either "somewhat" or "very" satisfied with technology, while 72 per cent said they were not opposed to learning new technologies.

"Despite the attention that the digital divide has garnered in recent years, a large proportion of older adults use technology to maintain their social networks and make their lives easier," Chopik said. "In fact, there may be portions of the older population that use technology as often as younger adults." The study also found that social technology use predicted lower levels of loneliness, which in turn predicted better mental and physical health.

Participants who used social technology more generally were more satisfied with life and had fewer depressive symptoms and chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. "Each of the links between social technology use and physical and psychological health was mediated by reduced loneliness," Chopik said.

"As we know, close relationships with other people are a large determinant of physical health and well-being, and social technology has the potential to cultivate successful relationships among older adults," he said. The findings are published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking.

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Prevent Alzheimer’s with a Healthy Lifestyle

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 Researchers have found that everyday behaviors, which unlike genetics are within our control, can boost brain reserves and therefore help delay or even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

1. Exercise regularly
Research reveals that your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease can be reduced by 50% with regular exercise. Exercise also helps slow down deterioration when you have already begun developing cognitive problems.
Start small. Exercise can be overwhelming for those who don’t do it regularly. You can start by taking the stairs or walking when you are talking on your cell phone.
30 minutes, 5 times a week. This seems like a lot, but it can include activities that get your heart pumping, such as cleaning, gardening or doing laundry. You can also walk, try an aerobics class, or swim.
Protect your head. Trauma to the head increases your chances of developing cognitive issues. Sports such as football and boxing are more extreme examples, but even a fall from a bicycle can have an effect. Wear the correct headgear and fasten your seat belt in cars.
Balance and coordination. Similarly, you can help prevent future head injuries caused by falling by including exercises that help you focus on balance and coordination. Yoga, Tai Chi or any exercise using balance balls or discs can help keep you agile. 
2. Be well-rested
Restful sleep on a regular basis helps your brain work best. Deep sleep is necessary for memory formation and retention. Sleep deprivation slows your thinking and has been shown to increase the chances of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
Regular sleep schedule: Our brain’s clock responds well to regularity. Make sure to go to sleep and wake up at a similar time each day to correspond to our natural circadian rhythms.
Smart napping: Napping can interfere with your regular sleep and make your insomnia worse. If you do nap, make sure it’s for no more than 30 minutes and do so in the early afternoon.  
Bedroom sanctity: Ban computers and televisions from the bedroom as these stimulators distract you from sleep.
Relaxing bedtime routine: Having pre-bedtime activities such as having a bath, light stretching, dimming the lights, praying or writing in a journal help signify to your brain that it’s time for restorative sleep. 

3. Keep mentally stimulated
People who are mentally active have been found to be more protected against developing Alzheimer’s and dementia. Any activities requiring communicating, interacting or organizing have proven tremendously helpful.
Learn a new skill. Learning a new skill helps make larger deposits in the brain reserves. Try studying a new language, learn to play an instrument, read the paper or books, or take up a new hobby.
Memory exercises: Memorization builds your memory connections.  Start with memorizing something small like capital cities or a poem, then progress to rhymes and mnemonics.
Brain games: Try riddles, crossword puzzles or strategy games.  Play board or card games, word games like Scrabble or Boggle, or number puzzles like Sudoku. All of these help build your capacity to retain cognitive associations.
The 5 Ws: Keep your neurons firing by asking yourself ”Who, what, where, when and why?”. Follow this up by writing down your daily experiences.
Go off routine: Varying habits helps create new brain pathways. Take a new route, use your non-dominant hand, or rearrange a storage system in your home. 

4. Eat healthily

A nutritious diet optimizes your brain’s performance. Changes to your diet can help keep you protected against brain deterioration.

Skip trans-fats and saturated fats. Choose lean meats, less processed foods, skim or fat-free dairy products, and reduce your intake of fried foods.

Adopt a Mediterranean diet. This diet, consisting of fish, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables, with the occasional glass of wine or piece of dark chocolate, is good for your heart. A healthy heart helps lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Eat fish and avocado. Both are filled with omega 3, a good fatty acid, which researchers have discovered may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. 

Opt for 4-6 small meals. Eating more regularly helps maintain a consistent blood sugar level. 

Think rainbow: Eat an abundance of colorful fruits and vegetables to achieve a diet high in antioxidants and vitamins. Reduce the white shades of your diet too: Carbohydrates high in sugar or refined flour lead to higher glucose levels which can inflame your brain.

Drink tea: Green tea has been shown to be excellent for a focused memory and mental alertness which can slow the aging of the brain.

5. Maintain an active social life
Research has found those with a socially active life are better protected against Alzheimer’s. Often as you get older, your support system shrinks and you’re unlikely to seek new relationships: 

• Call or email your friends. If you’re more tech-savvy, connect via social networks like Facebook.
• Make weekly dates to see your friends, and partake in a shared hobby, go for a walk together or chat over a cup of tea.
• Take group classes at a local college or gym.
• Get your partner or family members to try something new with you.
• Join social clubs or go to the local community or senior center.
• Get out of the house: volunteer, go to the park, visit museums or other public places.

6. Limit Stress
Stress can lead to the brain shrinking in the hippocampus, where memory is retained, and impede nerve cell growth, increasing your chances of Alzheimer’s or dementia.  
Take a breath: when you’re feeling stressed your breathing rate changes, which can impact the brain’s oxygen levels. A good practice to lower a rapid heart beat is to focus on restorative breathing.
Schedule daily relaxing activities: making sure to engage in enjoyable activities can help keep your stress levels low. These can be simple activities such as going outside for a walk, playing with a pet or attending a yoga class.
Get some inner peace: studies have found that a strong mind-body connection makes for better brain health. Activities involving religious practices or reflection, prayer, and meditation help protect you from the damaging effects stress causes. 

Why chronic illness makes people feel lonely

Difficult times often bring people closer but a new study has found that the onset of chronic illness often results in sufferers feeling lonely — even for those who have had a steady partner for 50 years or more.

“We were surprised by the amount of literature that examined whether people who are lonely are more likely to get sick. Yet, none of them asked the opposite question: ‘Do sick people get lonely?’,” said Meaghan Barlow, study’s first author from Concordia University’s Personality, Ageing and Health Lab.

They found that while plenty of research examined the effect of loneliness on illness, there was a lack of empirical evidence about whether or not illness contributes to loneliness.

For the study, Barlow and her co-author Sarah Liu measured changes in loneliness between 2004 and 2012 in a sample of 121 older adults who were mostly in their 70s.

Looking at the numbers provided some insights into how self-protective strategies can reduce the stress associated with a serious health issue.

In particular, positively reappraising a difficult health situation and not blaming oneself for the illness prevented feelings of loneliness.

“Putting a halt to socialising only contributes to a downward spiral. Dealing with a chronic illness should not prevent you from still trying to get out there if you can,” the authors noted.

Naturally, the challenge for society is to help an ageing population find motivation to stay engaged, which means recognising that the psychological side effects of disease can be offset with an increase in inspiring activity.

“The quality of our social ties plays a role when it comes to coping with the effects of serious disease in later life. And just having a partner around may not be enough,” Barlow concluded.

The study was published in the journal Health Psychology.

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Know the Early Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

There are two types of people in this world. Those who want to know when something is wrong with them or the ones they love, and those that prefer to ignore the problem. The first is harder, much harder. It means facing the truth head on and taking your lumps, whatever they may be.

The alternative is easier, at first, but the repercussions of avoiding early detection means a much more rapid slide into dementia, without drugs that can slow the disease down and enhance functioning. True, there is no final cure for the disease just yet, but early detection can give a much longer time with low to no symptoms. 

Don't be alarmed if you feel like you have one or two of these symptoms, they may have different causes such as natural aging. But this should be a list you're aware of, especially if they persist or worsen.

Click on the image to see it in full size.

 
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