dementia

A recent article published in the Journal of the American Heart Association  states that postmenopausal women with heart disease have a higher risk of developing dementia or other forms of decreased brain function. According to the article, nearly 6,500 U.S. women aged 65-79 with healthy brain function were put through a series of neurocognitive exams. ...click here to read more

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) with a loss of consciousness (LOC) has been found to be associated with later-life Parkinson’s disease, but not Alzheimer’s disease or incident dementia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1.3 million Americans visit the emergency room every year for a traumatic brain injury, so the later-effects of TBI ...click here to read more

Early dementia and Alzheimer’s disease indicators include behavioral changes and poor balance – in addition to memory loss. Although forgetfulness is a common sign of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study shows changes in behavior may be the first red flag signaling the onset of mental deterioration. The Alzheimer’s diagnosis is usually based on mild cognitive impairment, ...click here to read more

The risk of a second stroke can be predicted by one’s health condition prior to the first attack. The study uncovered that patients who had high blood pressure, along with other heart risk factors, prior to their first stroke were more likely to experience it again. Senior author Dr. M. Arfan Ikram said, “We already ...click here to read more

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are among the major causes of disability among the elderly. Nearly 40 million people worldwide suffer from dementia. The disease has a physical, psychological, social, and economic impact on those who have it. If you have been touched by dementia or know someone who has, you know how important it is to prevent. Treating type ...click here to read more

Does hypothyroidism increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly? If you’ve ever asked yourself that question you are among the many others who ponder it as well. Roughly, four to 15 percent of Americans have subclinical hypothyroidism – underactive thyroid. Along with the usual symptoms of fatigue and weight gain, a ...click here to read more

Dementia and cognitive decline risk increases with delirium in elderly. Delirium is a condition in which a person becomes suddenly confused and disoriented. It affects roughly 15 percent of older adults in a hospital setting. Delirium has long been thought to be a side effect of illness, but latest findings show delirium can have long-term ...click here to read more

Worsening depression in seniors could be an early predictor of dementia in seniors, according to a new study. Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein who reviewed the findings said, “More research is needed, but the study raises the possibility of an overlap between the pathology of dementia and depression.” The research team tracked depression symptoms among over 3,300 ...click here to read more

Forgetting where you put your keys or missing someone’s birthday may become a more frequent occurrence with each passing year. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are a growing problem as America’s population continues to age. But don’t panic at the prospect of joining the ranks of seniors – memory loss is not an inevitable part of ...click here to read more

Dementia and mild cognitive impairment risk is linked to metabolic syndrome. The study looked at older adults from Singapore and found that those with certain cardiovascular risk factors were more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia over the course of six years. Metabolic syndrome is a complex of risk factors that increase the ...click here to read more

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia risk does not increase with anticholinergic drugs. Other studies have found a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia associated with the anticholinergic drugs used to treat pain, bladder dysfunction, and mood. In Parkinson’s disease, anticholinergic drugs are used to improve motor and non-motor symptoms, and even though there ...click here to read more

Dementia, delirium, and stoicism hinder pain management in elderly. These factors make it difficult for patients to express how they are feeling, which can create a barrier for providing proper pain management. The findings come from a study of nurses working in long-term healthcare facilities in Ireland. The researchers found that the participants with dementia, ...click here to read more

Older adults with dementia face an increased mortality risk due to care transitions. The findings of the study uncovered that moving dementia patients from one place to another or having them stay overnight at a different location led to aggravated health outcomes. Although sometimes inevitable, unnecessary transition can be associated with medication errors, hospital readmissions, ...click here to read more

Severe depression has been linked to dementia in seniors, with both major depression and worsening condition increasing a person’s risk of dementia. The study involved nearly 2,500 seniors in their 70s without any signs of dementia. Participants were monitored for five years for depression symptoms, and screened for six years for signs of dementia. Twenty-one ...click here to read more