The phrase “food for thought” refers to an idea or piece of information worth thinking about. But there is some truth to this phrase when speaking about nutrition and Dementia. Can the food we eat help reduce the risk of developing Dementia and help slow down the progression? Understanding the link between both has been the topic of many studies. Recent research has indicated that dietary factors influence and maintain mental function. Dr. Walter Willett, a professor in the cause of disease and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, states, “Pretty much anything... Continue Reading
Posts Tagged With ‘ Dementia Society of America ’
First, Dementia is not a disease. That’s news to many people. Instead, Dementia is a syndrome where one or more progressive diseases, conditions, or disorders affect the brain structure sufficiently enough to limit one’s ability to perform activities of daily living, along with a host of other cognitive changes. Yes, that’s a mouthful. And that may be why some medical professionals will initially use the linguistic shortcut to say that someone likely has “Dementia” without much more detail. They may not know at that moment what’s causing the cognitive impairments, so calling it Dementia... Continue Reading
Do you or a loved one have Dementia, or does a doctor suspect that it may be Dementia? Generally speaking, screening tools are the first step in helping sort out the reasons why and to what degree someone may be having a cognitive challenge. Then depending on the results of those screeners, physicians may also suggest imaging tests, like CT, MRI, and PET scans, as well as test cerebral spinal fluid, blood, and other biomarkers to look for evidence of disease. Because there’s no single test that can diagnose the cause of Dementia (which in and of itself is a syndrome and not a disease –... Continue Reading
One too many concerts, or did you work in a factory or on a noisy job site? Were you in the military, law enforcement, a hunter, a musician or in some other way exposed to sudden loud sounds? Do your ears ring? Have you asked your friends to repeat themselves recently because you can’t hear as well as you once did? You aren’t the only one with age-related hearing loss: It affects about 1 in 3 adults aged 65 and older and half of the adults aged 75 and older. Age-related hearing loss may seem like nothing more than a nuisance, but it’s linked with depression, loneliness, and cognitive decline.... Continue Reading
Before, during, and after a Dementia diagnosis, it’s essential to plan for the future so that your healthcare providers, loved ones, family, and friends will know what to do as things change and if you become incapacitated in some way. These professionals can help you make decisions that should benefit you in the short and long term. Consider meeting with: An elder law attorney An attorney can help you create an advance directive or living will, which puts your wishes about your medical care into writing. Attorneys can also help you designate a power of attorney – the person who takes... Continue Reading
Have you repeatedly gotten lost in familiar places, seen people that were not there (hallucinated), or experienced uncontrollable bouts of laughter or crying, even though there was nothing sad or funny happening? These are just some of the 22 Clues™ – signs and symptoms which may suggest that something’s amiss and that the path ahead may not be straight as an arrow. Is it ever? It’s worthwhile to discuss all cognitive-related symptoms with your doctor(s). As many have been quoted saying, “The bend in the road, is not the end of the road unless you fail to negotiate the turn.” “There... Continue Reading
Everyone forgets things here and there. If you’re having more memory lapses than usual, you may worry that you could have Dementia. You may not know that another possibility is mild cognitive impairment: It’s the term used to describe someone whose memory or reasoning skills have diminished somewhat but whose changes aren’t as dramatic as Dementia. “There’s a measurable decline in cognition that’s more than we’d expect based upon age and education,” says Daniel L. Murman, MD, director of the behavioral neurology division in the department of neurological sciences at the University... Continue Reading
Some health conditions affect men more than women, or vice versa. Women, for example, get breast cancer more frequently than men. They’re also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more often. Men, however, get Vascular Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia more often than women. Experts understand some reasons why certain types of Dementia affect men or women more frequently, but more research is needed to uncover additional answers. Here’s what we know so far: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Experts aren’t sure why Alzheimer’s disease – the most common cause of Dementia – affects women more... Continue Reading
You may be somewhat familiar with the memory changes that may occur as a result of the underlying diseases that may cause Dementia. Have you ever wondered what pathological changes in the brain lead to changes in behavior, movement, communication, or other issues? Each type of Dementia may, especially initially, affect the brain slightly differently, but the good news is, recognizing the changes can provide you the chance to take early steps toward getting a thorough medical workup. It’s a matter of changing your perspective. Noticeable changes = better chances of diagnosing what’s going... Continue Reading
For decades, ten warning signs have been widely publicized and, for the most part, embraced by many as the only list for middle-aged and older adults to recognize signs of possible degenerative cognitive impairment. While serving an important purpose for years, this narrow Alzheimer’s-focused “top ten” checklist is now outdated and may contribute to missing some fairly common signs of a Dementia. The top four Dementias include Alzheimer’s, Vascular, Lewy Body, and Frontotemporal, and still, there are many more conditions and disorders that fall under the big umbrella of... Continue Reading