Most of us believe that age just happens. All of the sudden, seemingly out of the blue, our lives are changed by “growing older.” In some, memory begins to fade, for others memories not only fade but are eventually lost.
Alzheimer’s disease is the second most feared disease after cancer. Believe it or not, simply getting older is the No. 1 risk factor for developing this dreaded disease that now affects more than four million people in the United States. With the population of baby boomers turning the corner into their early 60’s, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease will triple or quadruple. The socio–economic burden will be unsustainable if we fail to reduce the risk of this disease.
In the archives of our brain, our lives linger or disappear. As your eyes scan this article, billions of neurons are firing along the pathways of memory, retrieving what you know (what’s in your brain) and responding to the new or the vaguely familiar (the hippocampus). These stored patterns of connections are housed within the brain, which weighs only three pounds and has more synapses and connections then any computer.
In the early stages of memory loss, it can be difficult to distinguish between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other causes of memory loss such as medication effect, depression, fatigue, etc. Researchers are working on finding an accurate way to diagnose AD. Starting medication early can be helpful and promoting a cognitive wellness plan can hopefully help delay disease progression.
So, are we all doomed to dementia? The answer is, we all will experience some mental decline as we age. But how well you remember, in part, depends on how good your connections are. There are ways to keep, restore and regroup connections to preserve your memory. Problems arise when synapses lay dormant. Building cognitive reserves seem to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
To stay sharp at any age, it is important to adopt a lifestyle that is good for you on many levels. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Exercise:
Researchers have shown that regular exercise reduces the risk of AD. Although the brain weighs only three pounds, it receives 20 percent of our vascular supply. Therefore, exercise increases blood flow to the brain and actually will increase brain volume.
2. Diet:
Remember to “eat for brain power,” a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, bread, fish and chicken i.e., the Mediterranean diet.
3. Continue to learn:
You have to continue to make your brain think. Break out of your routine. Crossword puzzles, mind computer games and trying new hobbies such as dancing or playing chess. Learn to relax. Try tai chi, yoga and other programs that combine thinking and concentration with relaxation.
4. Socialize:
People with complex social networks are constantly engaging with others and in this way, updating their brain files.
5. Reduce your risk
...factors for diabetes, hypertension and vascular disease: We live in a culture now where our internal memory has been replaced by a vast superstructure of high–tech devices. We don’t have to remember like we used to.
At the Neurology Institute of Wellness, we have designed a “Stay Mentally Fit” program to help one and all grow older and stay young. Time flies by in the blink of an eye. Let’s not let memories of life do the same!
If you or your loved ones are interested in learning more about staying mentally fit, please contact us at the Neurology Institute of San Antonio at (210) 692–1245. If interested in enrolling in a clinical research study for Alzheimer’s disease, please contact Integra Clinical Research at (210) 614–4884.
