Health News
Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia
It is not a situation hoped for, but one many people will have to tackle. As loved ones age and mental capacities fade, how do you handle proper care and ensure a high quality of life?
Luckily, as numbers grow and research proliferates, our knowledge and understanding of dementia increases as well. Information about how to provide a happy, rewarding and loving life for these patients is now widely available.
Aging in the Information Age
The “information age” has given many people more access to social activities and learning through computers. Elderly people who stay mentally active using computers may lower their risk of losing cognitive abilities.
How do Pain Medications Relate to Alzheimers?
In a large Canadian study, researchers found that people who took certain types of pain medications were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease, but it is not clear why.
Slowing Brain Activity
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a loss of thinking skills that increases risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Areas of the brain are overactive in MCI, and new research shows that lowering the activity may improve memory.
Higher levels of brain activity in the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory, are common in MCI. Using a drug to lower that brain activity led to better memory function for patients with MCI.
Consult your physician if you notice any memory problems
MCI is a loss of thinking and memory abilities that is more severe than normal aging and less severe than ...
Avoiding Alzheimer’s With Purpose
Purpose in life can be as simple as having a hobby or connecting with family. New research points to having purpose in life to keep memory and thinking going strong.
Alzheimer’s Drug Does not Relieve Agitation
A new study shows that Namenda ( memantine ), used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), does not improve agitation symptoms.
As AD progresses, agitation is a common symptom that often appears as restlessness, anxiousness, or becoming easily upset.
A recent study looked at this aspect, specifically, and found that Namenda did not appear to offer any benefit to these symptoms.
Talk with a doctor if a loved one with AD experiences agitation
The study, led by Chris Fox, MD, of the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom, enrolled 149 patients with AD who also ...
Onset Age of Alzheimer’s may Predict Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease is typically divided into two categories: early onset and late onset. New research shows that the specific types of deficits experienced may be related to the type or onset age of the disorder.
Nuts May Help Your Noggin
Have an extra slice of salmon each week, or add some almonds to your weekly snacks - it may help keep your mind clearer for longer as you get on in years.
A recent study has found a link between eating foods with omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of a protein that's related to Alzheimer's disease. Foods like fish, nuts and chicken are sources of omega-3s .
Regularly eat foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like chicken and nuts.
lead author Nikolaos Scarmeas , MD, of Columbia University Medical Center in New York, and colleagues set out to find connections between specific nutrie...
Dementia to Triple by 2050
The number of people with dementia is estimated at 35.6 million. By 2030, the number of people with dementia is expected to double. By 2050, the number may triple.
Every Bit of Physical Activity Helps
Vigorous exercise isn't the only physical activity that improves your health. Even activities like playing cards or sweeping can offer protective benefits well into your twilight years.