How To Prevent Dementia And Memory Loss

What Are The Symptoms Of Early

For most people with early-onset Alzheimer disease, the symptoms closely mirror those of other forms of Alzheimer disease.

Early symptoms:

• Withdrawal from work and social situations

• Changes in mood and personality

Later symptoms:

• Severe mood swings and behavior changes

• Deepening confusion about time, place, and life events

• Suspicions about friends, family, or caregivers

• Trouble speaking, swallowing, or walking

• Severe memory loss

What Are Researchers Doing To Stop Dementia

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They are words nobody wants to hear: Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As the population ages, a growing number of older adults gradually lose cherished memories and the ability to think and, ultimately, to perform even the most basic functions of daily living.

Researchers say dementias are so varied and complex, there remain more questions than answers when it comes to how to thwart them.

“This is a condition with multiple pathologies,” said Cynthia Lemere, immediate past chair of the medical and scientific advisory group of the Alzheimer’s Association. “There’s a lot of research going on right now.”

While there are many causes of dementias, much of the research revolves around Alzheimer’s, which accounts for 60%-70% of all cases. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6.2 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a number expected to double by 2050.

The federal government spends about $3.1 billion annually on Alzheimer’s research. Another $250 million comes from the Alzheimer’s Association, and last year the American Heart Association announced a joint brain health research project with Bill Gates, as well as support for a global networking effort among research centers to accelerate early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

When viruses and bacteria activate the immune system, they also produce inflammation, which researchers believe contributes to plaque development.

Causes Of Memory Loss

Occasional memory loss that interferes with your routine can have multiple origins. The most common cause that we all know is aging. Brain function is expected to decline as the connection between the neurons weakens with age.

This affects the process of storing memory. After aging comes family history, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Building up fat in the arteries is one of the major reasons behind the cognitive decline. According to research, around one-third of people who have smoke develop dementia.

The list doesnt end here. Certain medications such as tranquilizers, antihistamines, sleeping pills, and antidepressants can also contribute to memory loss.

A number of over-the-counter medications such as muscle relaxants are the culprits behind memory loss. Apart from that, excessive alcohol intake and drug abuse also interfere with memory retention. Getting too little sleep and stress can lead to memory loss too.

Nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B2 deficiency are a whole new world to explore when it comes to brain health, whereas minor causes include brain injury and infections.

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Whats Next With Dementia Prevention Research

More research is needed to find ways to help prevent Alzheimers and related dementias. Future research may determine that specific interventions are needed to prevent or delay the disease in some people, but others may need a combination of treatments based on their individual risk factors. Understanding risk factors and choices you can make now is important for both your present and future health. In addition to this website, consider the resources listed below to learn more.

You can also help researchers learn more about preventing dementia by participating in clinical trials and studies. Search the Alzheimers.gov Clinical Trials Finder to find studies that need volunteers.

How To Lower Your Risk Of Dementia

Simple lifestyle changes now might protect you from dementia later in life. Learn how you can lower your risk.

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Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

California Pacific Medical Center

Are you doing brainteasers to try to keep your memory sharp? You might do well to munch on some salmon, walnuts or avocados while working on your Sudoku puzzle.

The Mediterranean diet may help you prevent dementia, the decline in memory and other mental processes that affects many people as they age, says Michael Cohen, M.D., a neurologist at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center.

Dementia, which is caused by damage to brain cells, is not a disease in itself. Rather, its a symptom of a number of neurological disorders. Alzheimers disease, a progressive brain disease that severely alters thinking and affects a persons ability to carry out daily tasks, is one of the most common forms of dementia.

The Mediterranean diet is not a 100 percent fail-safe prevention tactic, but it seems to help, Dr. Cohen says. Even in people with early dementia, it seems to slow the progression of memory loss. The diet also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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> > > Root Cause For Alzheimer And Dementia Found

A healthy diet can be a great memory loss remedy. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as low-fat proteins such as nuts and seeds. Drinking plenty of water is also beneficial. The environment and personal experiences can affect the way your brain stores information, and this can lead to memory loss. There are many other causes of temporary memory loss, and it is important to get help as soon as possible. You should consult a medical professional to determine what the best treatment will be for your particular situation. How to Prevent Dementia and Memory Loss

A healthy diet is another effective memory loss remedy. A healthy diet should include plenty of vegetables and fruits. A healthy diet is a key component in memory improvement. This is the best way to prevent memory loss. The best way to do this is to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your daily routine. If you cant eat fruits and vegetables, you should avoid them altogether. They are packed with antioxidants that can help your brain.

The Importance Of Vascular Health

At present, researchers are still trying to understand the causes of Alzheimers disease and how to treat it.

But, vascular causes of dementia are another story. Vascular disease can cause or worsen dementia. Diseased blood vessels, along with high blood pressure, can cause tiny areas of bleeding or blocked blood flow to the brain silent strokes that may not even cause noticeable symptoms.

But when these small areas of brain injury happen over and over again, a person can develop problems with memory, gait, balance and other brain functions. Researchers are exploring the role of vascular disease in the development of Alzheimers dementia in particular, but its not yet clear if or how this occurs.

Taking steps to improve the health of your blood vessels involves lifestyle changes. Since brain changes can start decades before dementia symptoms appear, the earlier you begin preserving your vascular health, the better for your brain.

Heres a bonus: Improving blood vessel health helps you avoid stroke, heart attack and other serious diseases.

It’s been estimated that one in three cases of dementia is preventable. You cant do anything right now to stop or reverse the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimers disease, but you can do something about hypertension and vascular disease risk factors.

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Keep Your Mind Active

An active mind may help lower the risk of dementia, so keep challenging yourself. Some examples would be:

• study something new, like a new language
• do puzzles and play games
• read challenging books
• learn to read music, take up an instrument, or start writing
• stay socially engaged: keep in touch with others or join group activities

Memory Loss: What Is Dementia And How To Prevent It

Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a syndrome or a group of disorders characterized by a decline from a previously attained cognitive level that affects activities of daily living and social functioning. It is usually of a chronic or progressive nature that affects memory, thinking, orientation, and comprehension, learning capacity, language, judgment and mood as well as behavior. Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. It can be overwhelming, not only for the people who have it, but also for their caregivers and families.

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia. It is projected that in 2030, total number of people with dementia will reach 82 million and 152 million in 2050. In our country, it is estimated that back in 2015, 726,864 people were living with dementia.

Dementia affects each person in a different way. Symptoms include progressive memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem solving, or language. There are also changes in mood or behavior seen that these symptoms should be severe enough to reduce a persons ability to perform everyday activities.

Treatment of dementia depends on its cause. In dementia due to neurodegenerative diseases such as that of Alzheimers disease, there is still no cure. However, medications are available to slow down or sometimes temporarily improve symptoms but they still do not alter the progressive course of the disease.

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Who Has Alzheimers Disease

• In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimers disease.1
• Younger people may get Alzheimers disease, but it is less common.
• The number of people living with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.
• This number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.1
• Symptoms of the disease can first appear after age 60, and the risk increases with age.

Ways To Manage Dementia And Memory Loss

Posted By: Dr. C.September 21, 2022

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, its devastating news for all who care. Family and close friends want to give the best care possible to people who suffer from memory loss and declining cognitive abilities. Unfortunately, dementia can only be managed, not cured. Searching for methods and treatment options to minimize deterioration in the memory and thinking abilities of your loved one is the place to start.

Certain practices can help control memory loss and prevent it from aggravating the life of a dementia patient. Continue reading to explore ways to manage dementia and memory loss in patients.

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What Do We Know About Reducing Risk For Dementia

The number of older Americans is rising, so the number of people with dementia is predicted to increase. However, some studies have shown that incidence rates of dementia meaning new cases in a population over a certain period of time have decreased in some locations, including in the United States. Based on observational studies, factors such as healthy lifestyle behaviors and higher levels of education may be contributing to such a decline. But the cause and effect is uncertain, and such factors need to be tested in a clinical trial to prove whether they can prevent dementia.

A review of published research evaluated the evidence from clinical trials on behavior and lifestyle changes to prevent or delay Alzheimers or age-related cognitive decline. The review found encouraging but inconclusive evidence for three types of behavioral changes : physical activity, blood pressure control, and cognitive training. The findings mean that interventions in these areas are promising enough that researchers should keep studying them to learn more. Researchers continue to explore these and other interventions to determine whether and in what amounts or forms they might prevent dementia.

Watch a video below that highlights conclusions and recommendations from the research review.

How To Prevent Dementia & Memory Loss Through Brain Training

APEX offers Brain Training for memory loss prevention. We understand the mechanisms of memory loss well and use specific diagnostic and training procedures to help anyone, even those with dementia, to Build a Better Brain. Through brain mapping, cognitive testing and other brain assessments, we design a Brain Training program customized to help you retain your memory, or possibly even improve it. Furthermore, Brain Training for memory loss may include neurofeedback, transcranial magnetic stimulation, Interactive Metronome training. Specific brain and body exercises and nutritional support, among many other modalities.

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A Note About Unproven Treatments

Some people are tempted by untried or unproven “cures” that claim to make the brain sharper or prevent dementia. Be cautious of pills, supplements, brain training computer games, or other products that promise to improve memory or prevent brain disorders. These might be unsafe, a waste of money, or both. They might even interfere with other medical treatments. Currently there is no drug or treatment that prevents Alzheimer’s or related dementias.

However, there are currently several drugs available by prescription to safely treat the symptoms of early and mid-stage Alzheimer’s. If you have been diagnosed with dementia, your doctor may suggest that you take one of them.

How to protect yourself and others from unproven treatments:

• Beware if the product claim seems too promising and if it conflicts with what youve heard from your health care provider.
• Question any product that claims to be a scientific breakthrough. Companies marketing these products often take advantage of people when they are most vulnerable and looking for a miracle cure.
• Check with your doctor or health care professional before buying any product, including those labeled as dietary supplements, that promises to improve your memory or prevent dementia.
• Report any products or supplements being advertised as a treatment for Alzheimer’s or other diseases on the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations website.

Avoid Excess Alcohol Consumption

Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can damage your brain and increase your risk of dementia. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption can cause brain damage and lead to a condition called alcohol-related dementia. It may also increase the risk of Alzheimers disease and other dementias.

If you do drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Follow the Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. The guidelines recommend no more than two standard drinks per day for both men and women. Every drink above this level increases your lifetime risk of a number of conditions, including dementia.

Some evidence suggests that drinking in moderation might decrease the risk of dementia slightly more than not drinking alcohol at all. Alcohol can increase health risks for people with some conditions, or if they are taking certain medications. More research is needed in this area, so ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Your doctor can give advice about how much alcohol is safe for you and help you to reduce your drinking if you are consuming too much. Your doctor can write you a low-risk drinking prescription , prescribe medications or refer you to specialist help if needed.

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Alzheimers Vs Dementia: Whats The Difference

Both Alzheimers disease and dementia involve cognitive decline, but not all dementia patients have Alzheimers. Dementia is one of the main symptoms of Alzheimers, and Alzheimers is the most common type of dementia.

Alzheimers disease is caused by misshapen protein structures in the brain . Over time, the malformations kill the brain cells theyre in, limiting cognitive function.

Because Alzheimers is defined by these microscopic changes in the brain, doctors cant say for certain whether a person has Alzheimers without performing an autopsy.

The early symptoms of Alzheimers disease include:

• Difficulty finding the right words when speaking or writing
• Getting lost easily

When a patient starts to develop noticeable symptoms, Alzheimers medications may help. However, making diet and lifestyle changes seems to be just as effective, if not more so.

Keeping Dementia At Bay

Building up your cognitive reserve over a lifetime can help prevent decline

Print version: page 46

Monitor on Psychology48

With a nation of baby boomers marching toward old age, the medical community has been poised for a wave of new dementia cases. That hasn’t materialized. A new study by Kenneth Langa, MD, PhD, at the University of Michigan and colleagues found that the prevalence of dementia in the United States actually dropped in recent years, from 11.6 percent of people over age 65 in 2000 to 8.8 percent in 2012 .

The study was an observational one, so the scientists can’t say for sure what drove that decline. Factors such as better control of high blood pressure and greater educational attainment could help to explain the drop, Langa and his colleagues say.

In recent years, researchers have made strides in understanding how those and other factors might help prevent dementia. As it turns out, cognitive and psychological factors can go a long way toward protecting the brain. Now the task will be to translate that research into interventions that can delay or prevent the onset of dementia.

“This is a disease whose primary manifestations are psychological in nature, and psychologists will have a big role to play as we try to develop behavioral interventions,” says Robert S. Wilson, PhD, a neuropsychologist at the Rush University Alzheimer’s Disease Center.

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Speak A Second Language

Learning a second language can help you out during your next international trip and help you feel empowered because you are learning something new. But learning a new language can also help improve your cognitive skills, helping to keep dementia at bay. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America reports that lifelong bilingualism can prevent cognitive decline and may help delay the onset of dementia.

If you havent been speaking a second language for your lifetime, dont despair. You can still reap significant benefits from learning a new language in your senior years. The Glasgow Memory Clinic states that people who learn a new language tend to have lower rates of dementia and memory issues later. While direct reasoning is not yet determined, it appears that learning a new language can cause resiliency in the brain, helping to reduce the chance of dementia or even delay its onset.