Medical Myths about Ageing 5

 Medical News Today is an interesting newsletter that comes out with all sorts of fascinating material In the latest installment of our Medical Myths series, they tackle myths associated with ageing. Because ageing is inevitable and, for some people, frightening, it is no surprise that myths abound.

The article was written by Tim Newman on September 7, 2020, and fact checked by Anna Guildford, Ph.D.

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.

5. As you age, your brain slows

The term cognitive decline refers to a gradual decrease in mental functioning with age, but before we tackle the facts of the matter, we dismiss a couple of associated myths:

Dementia is inevitable as you age

According to the WHO, the risk of developing dementia increases with age, but it does not affect all older adults. Worldwide, an estimated 5–8% of people over 60 have dementia. That means that 92%–95% of people aged 60 or older do not have dementia.

In the United States, an estimated 13.9%Trusted Source of people over 71 have dementia, meaning that 86.1% of people over 71 do not have dementia.

Cognitive decline leads to dementia

Contrary to popular opinion, cognitive decline does not necessarily signal the start of dementia.

People who go on to develop dementia tend to experience cognitive decline first. However, not everyone who experiences cognitive decline will develop dementia.

One older study estimated that 22.2% of people in the U.S. aged 71 or older experience cognitive decline. Of these, each year, 11.7%–20% develop dementia.

Cognitive decline is inevitable.

As the above statistics show, cognitive decline is not inevitable, regardless of the long-held myth that older adults experience a mental slowing down. And, importantly, there are ways to reduce the risk.

In 2015, the Alzheimer’s Association evaluated the evidence of modifiable risk factors for both dementia and cognitive decline. Their report, presented to the World Dementia Council, explains that “there is sufficient evidence to support the link between several modifiable risk factors and a reduced risk for cognitive decline.”

They identified that maintaining regular physical activity and managing classic cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure were strongly associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline.

They also found good evidence that a healthful diet and lifelong learning or cognitive training also reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Medical Myths about ageing 4

 Medical News Today is an interesting newsletter that comes out with all sorts of fascinating material In the latest installment of our Medical Myths series, they tackle myths associated with ageing. Because ageing is inevitable and, for some people, frightening, it is no surprise that myths abound.

The article was written by Tim Newman on September 7, 2020, and Fact checked by Anna Guildford, Ph.D.

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.

4. Only women get osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones gradually become weaker. Some people believe that it only affects women. This is not true; it can affect either sex and people of any age. However, osteoporosis is indeed much more common in older people, white people, and females.

 According to an overview article the International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that globally, around 1 in 3 women over 50 have osteoporosis, and about 1 in 5 men will experience a bone fracture related to osteoporosis in their lifetime.

 Another related myth is that osteoporosis is inevitable for women as they age. As the figures above attest, two-thirds of women over 50 do not have osteoporosis. To minimize risks, the National Institute on Aging advise people to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D and exercise regularly.

 

Medical Myth 3 Older adults need less sleep

 Medical News Today is an interesting newsletter they come out with all sorts of fascinating material In the latest installment of our Medical Myths series, they tackle myths associated with ageing. Because ageing is inevitable and, for some people, frightening, it is no surprise that myths abound.

The article was written by Tim Newman on September 7, 2020, and Fact checked by Anna Guildford, Ph.D.

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.

3. Older adults need less (or more) sleep

Some people believe that older adults need more sleep than younger adults, perhaps because of the stereotype that older people enjoy a nap. Others say that older adults need less sleep, which might stem from the stereotype that older adults rise early in the morning.

These myths are relatively difficult to unpick because there are many factors involved. It is undoubtedly true that older adults have more difficulty getting to sleep and that their sleep tends to be more fragmented.

This might help explain why some older adults need to nap in the day. As the human body changes with age, it can disrupt the circadian (daily) rhythms.

This, in turn, can impact sleep. The relationship is multifaceted, too: if a person’s circadian rhythms become disrupted, it can influence other aspects of their physiology, such as hormone levels, which might also impact their sleep.

Aside from circadian disruptions, certain diseases that occur more commonly in older adults, such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, can cause discomfort, which might adversely influence an individual’s ability to get to sleep or stay asleep.

Similarly, some conditions cause shortness of breath, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure; this can also make sleeping more challenging.

According to an older article  certain medications, including beta-blockers, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, decongestants, and diuretics, can also interfere with sleep. Older adults are more likely to be taking these types of medication, sometimes together.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source state that people aged 61–64 need 7–9 hours, and people aged 65 or older need 7–8 hours of sleep each night. It just might be more difficult for them to get that all-important shuteye.

As a positive aspect, some research suggests that older adults can handle sleep deprivation better than young adults. A study in the Journal of Sleep Research found that older adults scored better following a sleep deprivation intervention than younger adults in a range of measures, including negative affect, depression, confusion, tension, anger, fatigue, and irritability

Medical Myth 2 Older adults should not exercise

Medical News Today is an interesting newsletter they come out with all sorts of fascinating material In the latest installment of our Medical Myths series, they tackle myths associated with ageing. Because ageing is inevitable and, for some people, frightening, it is no surprise that myths abound.

The article was written by Tim Newman on September 7, 2020, and  Fact checked by Anna Guildford, Ph.D.

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.

2. Older adults should not exercise

From the previous section, it is clear that this is a myth. According to an older article in Neuropsychobiology, keeping active can boost muscle strength, reduce fat, and improve mental health.

Some people think that, once they reach a certain age, there is no point in exercising, as they believe that it will provide no benefit. This is another myth. In one study, researchers put 142 adults aged 60–80 through a 42-week weight-lifting regime.

The scientists found that the course increased “dynamic muscle strength, muscle size, and functional capacity.”

There is also good evidence that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. A study, which involved 1,740 older adults, found that regular exercise was “associated with a delay in onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”

However, people should consult their doctor before embarking on a new exercise regime if they have a medical condition. For example, the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom indicate that people with certain conditions associated with age, such as osteoporosis, should avoid high impact exercise. However, the vast majority of older adults can indulge in some form of physical activity.