The increasing number of dementia patients is a problem that has caused many families to feel deeply worried.Especially for the elderly, the threat of dementia always seems to be lurking around us.So why is this problem getting worse?
Is it because the rhythm of our lives has changed, or is there something in our lives that is quietly "bad" to the brain?
Dementia doesn't happen overnight.It is a process of accumulation slowly, and many times, it is because of long-term bad habits that accumulate little by little.
You must know that the brain needs to be exercised, just like other parts of the body, and only through continuous stimulation and challenge can the brain remain active and slow down the decline.In fact, many seemingly inconspicuous habits, if persistently adhered to, can play a role in combating dementia.
As a doctor who has worked in the hospital for many years, I often think about such questions,And the answer is actually quite simple - the "movement" of the brain is not enough.
Some small habits in daily life can often imperceptibly affect the function of our brain, maybe we don't realize it.Some simple practices can help us effectively prevent cognitive decline and even delay or prevent the onset of dementia.
As you may know, the human brain gradually declines with age, which is a natural process.However, the speed and extent of recession are not static, and many people have brain declines that can be delayed or even reversed.
In fact, many people ignore this point, especially some elderly friends.They always think that "if the brain is declining, there is nothing to be done", but is this really the case?
One patient, after she retired, sat at home every day, and basically had nothing to do except eat.My head also began to feel foggy, my memory deteriorated, and I couldn't even remember what I ate last night.
I told her that her symptoms were not unchangeable, that providing a challenge to the brain, and that proper stimulation could be effective in improving her condition, and that it did not require overly complicated work.Maintaining a certain amount of learning and thinking, or even playing some intellectual games, can effectively stimulate the activity of the brain.
Studies have shown that the connections between neurons in the brain become denser with increasing frequency of use, so we can delay the decline by "activating" the brain.For example, learning something new, like learning a new language, can exercise different parts of the brain.
When it comes to exercise, people often think of physical movement, but brain exercise is not just about solving problems or memorizing these traditional cognitive activities.Social interactions, a sense of humor, and maintaining a certain amount of curiosity in life can all have a positive effect on the brain.
One patient,After retirement, he was busy chatting with friends, attending parties, and often going on his own adventuresAt first, he just felt that he was very happy with his friends.
But then I found out that his mental activity was much higher than that of older people who stayed at home all day and rarely interacted with people.As a result, his cognitive abilities are maintained much better than those of his peers.
Studies have found that those who regularly participate in social activities have a much lower chance of developing dementia than those who do not participate in social activities.This is because social activities stimulate many parts of the brain, especially the areas that are responsible for language and emotion.
When we interact with others, the brain not only needs to process language and information, but also needs to mobilize various emotional responses and memory content.This comprehensive challenge helps to improve the flexibility and reserve capacity of the brain.
In addition to cognitive training and social activities, the impact of diet on the brain cannot be ignored, and many people know the role of a healthy diet on the body.But in fact, many people don't know what kind of food can keep the brain thinking clear and improve memory.
One patient had a very irregular diet, liked to eat greasy, heavy foods, and lacked fruits and vegetables all year round, and as a result, her blood pressure increased at a young age, and she even began to have mild cognitive problems.
In response to her situation, I advised her to adjust her diet and eat more antioxidant-rich foods.This is especially true for fish that contain Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna.
Scientific studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids are not only good for heart health, they are also essential for brain health.It enhances the brain's neuroprotective capacity, reduces inflammation between neurons, and helps improve memory.
In fact, Omega-3 deficiency is strongly associated with a decline in brain function, especially in the elderly,Therefore, increase foods rich in Omega-3 and maintain adequate vitamin and mineral intaketo help keep the brain active.
As we all know, a good night's sleep is essential for the body, however,Many people may not realize that the effects of sleep on the brain are also crucial.
There is a patient, he has a lot of work pressure during the day, stays up late at night to watch TV, the next day is not energetic, easy to get sleepy during the day, over time, memory also gradually declines, after a period of observation, I found thatHis poor sleep quality was a significant cause of declining brain function.
Sleep is not just a simple matter of resting the body, but most importantly, it gives the brain time to "tidy up" what it learns during the day.When sleeping, the brain will classify and archive the knowledge and information, and by the way, it can also clean up the "garbage" in the brain.
If you don't sleep well, or the quality of sleep is poor, the "garbage" in the brain can't be cleaned up in time.Over time, it can hurt neurons, which can lead to cognitive problems.
According to research, sleep deprivation accelerates the accumulation of Alzheimer's-related amyloid in the brain, which is one of the causes of dementia.Therefore, getting enough sleep is not only for the health of the body, but also for the long-term health of the brain.
Experience over the years has taught me that many people mistakenly believe that brain decline is inevitable, but as long as we stick to cultivating some good habits,Things like a proper diet, adequate sleep, and intellectual and social exercise can slow down the decline and even improve the current situation.
The above content is for reference only, if you feel unwell, please be in timeconsultationProfessional doctor
What are your thoughts on dementia in old age? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!
[1] Wang Qiong, Epidemiology and preventive measures for dementia
Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.