Dementia
As we age, many of us experience lapses in memory. It can be worrying and confusing to realize that something you once took for granted isn’t working as well as it used to.
Common signs and symptoms :- Memory loss. Changes in short-term memory, forgetting dates, events, needing more memory aids, repeatedly asking the same questions.
- Impaired judgement. Fall victim to scams, give away money, struggle to care for a pet.
- Faulty reasoning. Trouble problem solving, working with numbers, balancing check book, or following directions or recipes.
- Loss of communication skills. Difficulty finding words, following conversations or storylines.
- Disorientation and confusion. Become lost in familiar places, confusion about dates or seasons. Not recognizing or being confused about familiar people.
- Gait, motor, and balance problems. Loss of coordination, increasing falls or accidents.
- Neglect of personal care and safety. Self-neglect, decline in personal hygiene, wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather, neglecting nutrition.
- Personality changes. Withdraw from social activities, apathy or listlessness, sleep problems, depression, hallucinations, paranoia, or agitation.
- Regular Exercise. Starting a regular exercise routine, including cardio and strength training, may significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week.
- Social Engagement. The more socially active you are, the more you connect face-to-face with others, the stronger your memory and cognition is likely to be.
- Healthy Diet. Brain-healthy eating habits can help reduce inflammation, protect neurons, and promote better communication between brain cells. Daily servings of fruit and vegetables and weekly servings of fish may help to lower your risk for dementia.
- Mental Stimulation. By continuing to learn new things and challenge your brain, you can strengthen your cognitive skills, stay mentally sharp, and may delay or prevent dementia symptoms.
- Quality Sleep. Getting quality sleep may help to flush out brain toxins and avoid the build-up of damaging plaques.
- Stress management. Unchecked stress takes a heavy toll on the brain, shrinking a key memory area, hampering nerve cell growth, and worsening dementia symptoms.
- Vascular health. Controlling your blood pressure, monitoring your cholesterol levels, and quitting smoking can have beneficial effects on both your heart and brain health.