dementia

Common anxiety medications like Xanax and Valium are not linked to an increased risk of dementia among seniors, according to new findings. Although these medications won’t contribute to memory loss, they do, however, come with other side effects and should still be used with caution. Previous research has found a minor link between anxiety medications ...click here to read more

It may seem natural for us to begin forgetting the small stuff as we get older, but memory loss isn’t a natural part of aging. Frankly, you may be partaking in habits which are speeding up memory loss without even realizing it. If birthdays come and go and you haven’t even noticed, or you go ...click here to read more

Weight loss beginning in midlife and extending into later life could be a sign of dementia, as uncovered by researchers at the Mayo Clinic. The findings revealed that individuals who lose weight over the course of decades are at a higher risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is the loss of memory and thinking ...click here to read more

Many older adults do not report memory loss symptoms to their doctors. This could delay early treatment of impeding dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The new study looked at federal government data of over 10,000 people and uncovered that only one in four older adults relayed their memory problems to their doctor. Furthermore, the older the ...click here to read more

Concussion (traumatic brain injury) increases the risk of dementia in seniors. Roughly 1.7 million Americans experience a minor concussion annually, and nearly 15 percent of those who experience repeated brain injuries suffer from abnormal brain functioning years later. A concussion can occur due to a sports injury, car accident, or any other injury that occurs ...click here to read more

Screening seniors early on for memory loss and dementia is of utmost importance as it can help slow down the progression of memory decline and possibly even preserve or reverse some of the damage that has already been done. Families can make plans for their loved ones’ care, get help with day-to-day tasks, and keep ...click here to read more

Gout may lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A 2015 study examined the protective effects of gout in regards to reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Gout is a disease categorized by an excess amount of purines and uric acid which crystallize and cause pain. Although gout increases the risk of ...click here to read more

Sleep apnea and snoring have been linked to earlier cognitive decline and dementia, according to research. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder categorized by the stoppage of breathing throughout the night which wakens a person up thus contributing to poor sleep. A primary symptom of sleep apnea is snoring which is a sound emitted from ...click here to read more

Diabetes is a growing problem within the United States and although it primarily affects blood sugar, new research suggests that it can also contribute to memory loss as well. Diabetes is a chronic condition where a person cannot produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or does not properly use the insulin that is being produced ...click here to read more

A new study has found that having anxiety increases the risk of dementia by 48 percent. The study examined 28 years of data from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging. IT involved 1,082 participants who completed tests every three years and answered questionnaires and who were screened for dementia. Previous research explored the link ...click here to read more

As the population continues to age, more and more cases of dementia and memory loss will continue to crop up. Dementia and memory loss is a pressing issue for seniors, and this past year much information came out regarding dementia causes, treatments and even prevention methods. At Bel Marra Health we have collected together the ...click here to read more

Anemia – a disorder categorized by a deficiency of red blood cells – has been found to be linked to cognitive impairment according to new findings. The study revealed that female participants with anemia performed lower in verbal memory and executive functions. Additionally, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was doubled in those diagnosed with anemia. Dementia ...click here to read more

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of disorders categorized by the progressive loss of nerve cells within the brain’s frontal lobes (found directly behind the forehead) or temporal lobes (Areas behind the ears). When nerve cells are lost in these areas of the brain behavior and personality can begin to deteriorate along with changes to ...click here to read more

Researchers in Finland discovered that singing and musical activities are beneficial for memory and mood, especially in those with early dementia. The findings could help improve treatment for dementia patients and uncover specific usages for music at different stages of dementia to improve outcomes. Eighty-nine dyads of people with mild to moderate dementia and their ...click here to read more