Dementia Medical Myths 4-6

 4. Dementia only affects older adults

Age is a risk factor for dementia, but dementia can affect younger adults in rare cases. Some scientists estimate that, in people aged 30–64 years, 38–260 people in 100,000 — equivalent to 0.038–0.26% — develop early-onset dementia.

In the 55–64 age bracket, this increases to close to 420 people in 100,000 or 0.4%.

5. Using aluminum pans causes Alzheimer’s

In the 1960s, scientists injected rabbits with high levels of aluminum. They found that the animals developed neurological lesions similar to those that form in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, some studies have identified aluminum within the plaques associated with Alzheimer’s. However, aluminum also appears in the healthy brain, and researchers have not established a causal link between this element and the disease.

Following on from these studies, myths still circulate that drinking from aluminum cans or cooking with aluminum pots increases the risk of Alzheimer’s.

However, since those early experiments, scientists have not found a clear association between Alzheimer’s and using aluminum pots and pans.

Although researchers will, eventually, establish the precise relationship between aluminum and Alzheimer’s, consuming aluminum through the diet is unlikely to play a major role.

As the Alzheimer’s Society explain: “Aluminum in food and drink is in a form that is not easily absorbed into the body. Hence, the amount taken up is less than 1% of the amount present in food and drink. Most of the aluminum taken into the body is cleaned out by the kidneys.”

However, they also write that some research has found “a potential role for high dose aluminum in drinking water in progressing Alzheimer’s disease for people who already have the disease.”

6. Dementia signals the end of a meaningful life

Thankfully, this is not the case. Many people with a dementia diagnosis lead active, meaningful lives. Some people fear that if a doctor diagnoses them with dementia, they will no longer be able to go for a walk alone and will have to stop driving their vehicle immediately.

It is true that these adjustments may come in time as the condition progresses, but in mild cases of dementia, no changes may be necessary. As dementia worsens, changes to the way an individual leads their life are likely, but that does not mean that the person cannot lead a fulfilling life.

“Too many people are in the dark about dementia — many feel that a dementia diagnosis means someone is immediately incapable of living a normal life, while myths and misunderstandings continue to contribute to the stigma and isolation that many people will feel. The research shows that life doesn’t end when dementia begins.”

Dementia Medical Myths 1 -3

 Medical myths: All about dementia written by Tim Newman on September 21, 2020 — Fact checked by Zia Sherrell, MPH

In our Medical Myths series, we approach medical misinformation head-on. Using expert insight and peer-reviewed research to wrestle fact from fiction, MNT brings clarity to the myth-riddled world of health journalism.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging.

Today, an estimated 5.8 million people aged 65 years or older in the United States have dementia.

Due to the fact that the average lifespan of people in the U.S. has increased over recent decades, some experts project that by 2050, the number of older adults with dementia could reach 13.8 million.

Figures of this stature spark justifiable fear, and, as we have found in previous Medical Myths articles, fear tends to breed misconceptions.

In this article, we aim to dispel 11 of these myths.

1. Dementia is inevitable with age

This statement is not true. Dementia is not a normal part of aging. According to a report that the Alzheimer’s Association published, Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia, affects 3% of people aged 65–74 years in the U.S. As a result of the risk increasing as we age, 17% of people aged 75–84 years and 32% of people aged 85 years and older have a dementia diagnosis.

2. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are the same things

This is not quite correct. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, accounting for 60–80% of all dementia cases. Other types of dementia include frontotemporal dementia (FTD), vascular dementia, mixed dementia, and Lewy body dementia.

The National Institute on Aging defines dementia as “the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — and behavioural abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.”

Although dementias share certain characteristics, each type has a distinct underlying pathology. Alzheimer’s disease is associated with a buildup of so-called plaques and tangles in the brain. These structures interfere with brain cells, eventually killing them. In contrast, brain cell death in vascular dementia occurs due to a lack of oxygen, which can result from a stroke, for instance.

3. A family member has dementia, so I will get it

A common myth is that dementia is purely genetic. In other words, if a person’s family member has a dementia diagnosis, they are guaranteed to develop dementia later in life. This is not true.

Although there is a genetic component to some forms of dementia, the majority of cases do not have a strong genetic link. As we learned above, rather than genetic factors, the most significant risk factor for dementia is age. However, if a parent or grandparent developed Alzheimer’s when they were younger than 65 years, the chance of it passing on genetically is higher.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s is relatively uncommon, though. It occurs in about 5.5% of all Alzheimer’s cases.

As the majority of dementia cases are Alzheimer’s disease, this means that most dementia cases are not hereditary. But if a parent or grandparent develops the condition, it does not mean that children or grandchildren are guaranteed to develop it.

Dementia risk factors

 Study identifies 10 factors linked to Alzheimer’s risk written by James Kingsland on March 1, 2022 — Fact checked by Hannah Flynn

A new study appearing in The Lancet Digital Health finds links between health conditions and Alzheimer’s risk. The study was an observational study that highlighted 10 medical conditions associated with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease up to 10 years later.

The conditions include known risk factors for the disease, such as depression and hearing loss, and conditions with no links to the disease, such as constipation.

People with dementia experience a progressive loss of their ability to remember, think, and communicate effectively.

However, the changes in the brain that are responsible for dementia may begin decades before its effects on cognition and behaviour become apparent.

The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that of the 55 million people worldwide living with dementia, 60–70% have Alzheimer’s disease.

Attempts to develop an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s have met with little success. Researchers are increasingly turning their attention to detecting the disease early.

The key to this strategy is to identify early, “modifiable” risk factors that doctors can target with drugs or other interventions.

Researchers at the Paris Brain Institute in France have now found statistical associations between 10 health conditions and a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease up to 10 years later. Major depression was the earliest condition to be associated with a subsequent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, appearing at least 9 years in advance.

Other conditions that the study linked to a later diagnosis of Alzheimer’s included:

·        anxiety

·        constipation

·        abnormal weight loss

·        a type of arthritis called cervical spondylosis

·        reaction to severe stress

·        hearing loss

·        sleep disorders

·        They also showed that falls and fatigue had links to Alzheimer’s risk.

The next step will be to determine whether these conditions help cause the disease or whether they are early signs of changes in the brain that are already happening.

Some of the conditions, such as depression, hearing loss, and sleep disorders, are already known risk factors for Alzheimer’s. However, this study was the first to identify constipation as a possible risk factor. The link between the two conditions became apparent 7 years before the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Interestingly, constipation is also associated with depression and is an established early sign of other brain diseases, such as Lewy-body dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Another recent study also found an association between mental health conditions and dementia. In 2020, the Lancet Commission on dementia added three new modifiable risk factors: excessive alcohol consumption, head injury, and air pollution to its existing list, which includes:

·        hypertension

·        smoking

·        obesity

·        depression

·        physical inactivity

·        diabetes

The report concluded that modifying all the risk factors that researchers have identified could prevent or delay dementia in up to 40% of people.

Dementia Tests

 Cognitive dementia tests

Experts established the dementia tests that doctors currently use in the 1970s. A doctor may ask questions such as:

·        What is your age?

·        What is the time, to the nearest hour?

·        What is your address?

·        What is the year?

·        What is your date of birth?

The doctor may also consider observations by family members and caregivers.

If the results suggest memory loss, the doctor may carry out blood tests and a CT brain scan to investigate further and rule out other possible causes.

Another test, called the mini-mental state examination — which has also been in use since the 1970s — measures:

·        orientation to time and place

·        word recall

·        language abilities

·        attention and calculation

·        visuospatial skills

It can help diagnose dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. It can also rate its severity and assess whether or not drug treatment is appropriate.

Mini-Cog test

The doctor may also carry out a test known as the Mini-Cog test. This involves the following steps:

 

·        The doctor will take three words from a specific set, “banana, sunrise, chair,” and ask the person to repeat them. The person can have three attempts at this.

·        If the person cannot do this, the doctor will ask them to draw a clock face, fill in the numbers, and set the hands to a specific time. The person should do this within 3 minutes.

·        If the individual cannot complete the clock task in time, the doctor will ask them to recall and repeat the three words from the first task.

There will be a maximum of 10 points. If the person scores fewer than 3–4 points, the doctor will consider dementia as a possible diagnosis.

Dementia treatment

There is currently no cure for most types of dementia, as it is not yet possible to reverse brain cell death. However, treatment may help manage symptoms.

Some medications may help reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Three drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors, have approval for use in the United States. They are:

·        donepezil (Aricept)

·        galantamine (Reminyl)

·        rivastigmine (Exelon)

·        Cholinesterase inhibitors can also help manage behavioral symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

A person may also use memantine (Namenda), which is an NMDA receptor antagonist, either alone or with a cholinesterase inhibitor.

 

If the symptoms result from an injury, medication use, or a vitamin deficiency, it may be possible to prevent further damage.

Other forms of care

Some lifestyle strategies that may help manage dementia include making sure the person:

·        follows a healthy diet

·        gets regular exercise

·        attends all medical appointments

·        takes their medication as prescribed

·        has regular sleep habits

·        has a safe living space

·        has support from family members and caregivers, as needed

Preventing dementia

In most cases, it is not possible to prevent dementia. However, the WHO suggests that the following habits may lower the risk:

·        exercising regularly

·        avoiding smoking

·        limiting alcohol consumption

·        maintaining a moderate weight

·        eating a healthy diet

·        seeking treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and high blood sugar levels

·        Wearing protective headgear during contact sports may also lower the risk of sustaining repeated head injuries, which could be a risk factor for dementia.

Dementia Types

 Dementia types

There are several types of dementia. They include but are not limited to the following.

 Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 70–80%Trusted Source of cases. In Alzheimer’s disease, “plaques” and “tangles” develop in and between the brain cells. Both are due to changes in proteins.

A person may have short-term memory problems, difficulty finding words and making decisions, and difficulty seeing things in three dimensions.

Lewy body dementia

Lewy body dementia occurs when unusual structures known as Lewy bodies develop in the brain. These brain changes involve a protein called alpha-synuclein.

In the early stages, there may be fluctuations in alertness, hallucinations, and difficulty judging distance. The impact on short-term memory may be less severe than it is with Alzheimer’s disease.

People with Parkinson’s disease may also have Lewy bodies. Although doctors often consider Parkinson’s disease a disorder of movement, symptoms of dementia can also appear.

Frontotemporal dementia

This condition involves damage to the front and sides of the brain. It happens when brain cells die due to clumps of protein developing inside them.

Depending on the part of the brain the condition affects, the person may have difficulty with behaviour, speech and communication, or both.

Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease is an inherited genetic condition. The main symptoms are uncontrolled movements, but dementia can also occur.

Early symptoms may include difficulty focusing, irritability, and impulsivity. Depression may also be present. The person may have difficulty with organizing, multitasking, and planning. These symptoms may appear before movement changes develop.

Mixed dementia

When this happens, a person has a diagnosis of two or three types together. For instance, a person may have both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia at the same time.

Early symptoms

Early symptoms of dementia vary between types but typically include:

·        forgetfulness

·        mood changes

·        anxiety, anger, or depression

·        difficulty finding the right words

·        apathy

·        confusion

·        repeating speech or actions

·        difficulty following a storyline or recounting a story

·        difficulty completing everyday tasks

·        a reduced sense of direction

·        difficulty adapting to changes

·        leaving everyday items in unusual places

Dementia causes

Some types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, result from the progressive death of brain cells and neurons. It develops and worsens over time.

However, dementia can also result from head injuries, stroke, brain tumours, and other causes. A stroke, for example, can stop blood and oxygen from reaching brain cells, resulting in damage and cell death. Receiving a blow to the head can damage brain cells directly.

Some types of traumatic brain injury — particularly if repetitive, which can happen in some sports — may increase the risk of certain types of dementia later in life.

Some other factors and conditions with similar symptoms include: 

·        the use of some drugs

·        some infections, such as HIV or neurosyphilis

·        depression

·        vitamin B12 or E deficiency

·        thyroid problems

Dementia tests

Assessment usually involves a number of questions and tasks. The following post will explore these in more detail.

Dementia 1

The following information and the next few posts were taken from Medical News TodayDementia is a general term for symptoms affecting memory, communication, and thinking. Although the likelihood of having dementia increases with age, it is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms of dementia depend on the type a person has, but they typically include:

·        memory problems

·        asking the same question repeatedly

·        difficulty finding or understanding words

·        feeling confused in an unfamiliar environment

·        problems dealing with money and numbers

·        anxiety and withdrawal

·        difficulty planning and carrying out tasks

·        mood changes

·        personality and behavioral changes

·        sleep disturbances

·        changes in social awareness, such as making inappropriate jokes

·        obsessive tendencies

The symptoms tend to become more severe over time. The person may notice some symptoms themselves, but their family members or caregivers may notice others.

The World Health Organization (WHO) divides dementia into roughly three stages: early, middle, and late.

Early-stage

At this stage, it may not seem that a person has dementia. They may:

·        become more forgetful

·        lose track of time

·        feel lost in familiar locations

Middle stage

At this stage, the symptoms become more noticeable and include: 

·        forgetting names and recent events

·        feeling lost when at home

·        difficulty communicating

·        behavioural changes

·        repeatedly asking questions

·        needing help with personal care

Late stage

At this stage, a person needs full-time assistance, as the impact of the symptoms typically becomes more severe. The person may:

·        be unaware of where they are

·        be unaware of time

·        have difficulty recognizing loved ones

·        find it hard to walk

·        experience behavioural changes, which may include aggression

 

Habits to help prevent Dementia: manage and reduce stress

4. Manage and Reduce Stress

Chronic stress is a major cause of inflammation in the brain and body. Relentless emotional, physical, and psychological stress promotes unchecked inflammation and contributes to cognitive dysfunction. High levels of prolonged chronic stress are associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment.

Stress management techniques—like mindfulness and meditation—are crucial for decreasing inflammation and supporting brain health and healthy aging. In fact, mindfulness and meditation offer many benefits for physical and mental health.

A regular meditation practice can help you to improve your ability to focus, positively shift your mood, and improve overall health. The brain-protective benefits of meditation might be related to neuroplastic changes in the structure and function of brain regions involved in the regulation of attention, emotion, and self-awareness, which occur in regular meditators.

By Jennifer Weinberg written on November 26, 2019, and published online at https://chopra.com

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chopra Center's Mind-Body Medical Group, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.

Habits to help prevent Dementia: Stop Smoking

 7. Abstain from Smoking

In addition to the negative impacts on your lungs and heart, smoking harms the brain and contributes to a higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Studies show that people who smoke are at a higher risk of developing all types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Cigarettes and cigarette smoke contain numerous chemical compounds that are toxic to the body. Research has found that these substances contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerotic processes, which in turn contribute to the catalyzing processes that appear to cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Avoiding smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke can reduce your risk of dementia as well as diseases of the heart and lungs. If you are working towards quitting smoking, methods based on mindfulness and self-awareness can help make the process easier and more effective. Having a strong basis of self-knowledge, respecting your limitations, and understanding your goals are key steps towards abstaining from habits that harm your health, including smoking.

A personalized and healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of disease prevention and promoting brain health. By combining these balanced lifestyle habits, you can help create good brain health and reduce your risk of cognitive decline.

By Jennifer Weinberg written on November 26, 2019, and published online at https://chopra.com

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chopra Center's Mind-Body Medical Group, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.

Habits to help prevent Dementia: Get a good nights sleep

3. Develop Good Sleep Habits

Your brain needs sleep and is remarkably active during this time when the body rests. Science shows that sleep is crucial for brain remodelling and function. It is the time when the brain focuses on removing metabolic waste products, processing information, and consolidating memories.

For example, research shows that the junctions between nerve cells, called synapses, grow during daytime stimulation and then shrink by nearly 20 percent while you sleep. This process serves to “reset” the brain to create room for more growth and learning the next day.

Getting regular, adequate sleep is necessary for good brain health. Without adequate sleep, humans experience cognitive deficits of many kinds, including attention issues and declines in the ability to learn and process information.

For maximum rejuvenation and brain function, aim for a minimum of seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Promote restful sleep by practicing a soothing evening routine to prepare your mind and body for sleep. Maintain a set sleep schedule and create a comfortable, healthy sleeping environment.

By Jennifer Weinberg written on November 26, 2019, and published online at https://chopra.com

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chopra Center's Mind-Body Medical Group, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.

Habits to help prevent Dementia Learn a new skill

 2. Learn New Skills and Engage in Cognitive Stimulation

Your brain consists of hundreds of billions of nerve cells (neurons), which make hundreds of trillions of connections (synapses) throughout the brain and nervous system. These compose your neural network or nervous system. The nervous system and brain have a remarkable capacity (neuroplasticity) to continue to grow, evolve, and heal even as you age.

Research shows that engaging in physically and mentally stimulating activities is an important element in strengthening cognitive reserve, which is the brain’s resilience and capacity to function even when there is damage to brain cells. Learning new skills and stimulating the brain on a regular basis boosts cognitive pathways between neurons and builds resiliency in brain function.

The resulting benefits of cognitive stimulation seem to offer protection against brain damage caused by insults such as exposure to air pollution and noise pollution, which have been linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

By Jennifer Weinberg written on November 26, 2019, and published online at https://chopra.com

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chopra Center's Mind-Body Medical Group, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.

Habits to help prevent Dementia Physical Exercise

 1. Get Regular Physical Activity

Regular physical activity has a beneficial impact on brain health. Exercise helps activate brain plasticity (the brain’s ability to change its own structure as a result of experiences) and positive growth of connections in the brain while decreasing inflammation. These benefits seem to help preserve memory and brain function in healthy older adults as well as those with early signs of dementia.

An active lifestyle can make a difference whether or not you formally hit the gym. The more you move around as part of your daily life, the better it is for your brain health. In fact, research shows that consistent intermittent activity throughout the day, such as brief high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions, is more metabolically beneficial in maintaining and improving brain function than sporadic extended activity. HIIT involves relatively short bursts of vigorous activity that significantly elevate your heart rate, interspersed with rest or low-intensity recovery periods. HIIT can be performed with cyclical exercises such as bicycling, running, swimming, or other whole-body exercises that raise your heart rate.

By Jennifer Weinberg written on November 26, 2019, and published online at https://chopra.com

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chopra Center's Mind-Body Medical Group, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.

7 Habits to Protect Your Brain and Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease Overview

The following was written by Jennifer Weinberg written on November 26, 2019, and published online at https://chopra.com. Jennifer has written about 7 habits to fall into and we will cover all of them in detail over the next several posts.

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chopra Center's Mind-Body Medical Group, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.

Science suggests that Alzheimer’s disease develops gradually over time. However, the disease is not an inevitable part of ageing. The underlying problem appears to be neuroinflammation or imbalanced inflammation in the brain that damages nerve cells.

Scientists have been able to identify several modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, including hypertension, depression, and high cholesterol. A combination of healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent the development of these risk factors, protect the brain, and reduce your risk of cognitive decline.

Even if you have a genetic predisposition to develop brain disease or are exposed to risk factors outside of your control (such as air pollution), lifestyle medicine offers attainable, actionable recommendations that can help you live a healthier life. The healthier habits you adopt, the lower your risk of cognitive decline.

In fact, research suggests that people who adopted at least four out of five of the following lifestyle behaviours over a six-year period had a 60 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to people who practiced only one or none of these habits. The researchers focused on these five lifestyle factors associated with a lower risk of dementia:

·         Following a healthy diet

·         Getting at least 150 minutes per week of at least moderate physical activity

·         Not smoking

·         Maintaining light to moderate alcohol intake

·         Engaging in cognitively stimulating activities

This research offers hope for building a better brain as you age and preventing dementia. Incorporating a combination of healthy habits into your daily routine can help reduce inflammation and protect your brain health.
Here are seven key habits to protect your brain and overall well-being:

1.    Get regular physical activity.

2.    Learn new skills and engage in cognitive stimulation.

3.    Develop good sleep habits.

4.    Manage and reduce stress.

5.    Cultivate a supportive network of friends.

6.    Eat a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet.

7.    Abstain from smoking.

Let’s look at each of these habits in more detail in the next few posts.