Tag Archive for: dementia tips

Reducing Your Risk of Dementia

Dementia affects millions of people around the world, and the number of cases continues to rise. Alzheimer’s disease, specifically, affects a very large number of people living in the United States. Researchers are studying tirelessly to better understand dementia and ultimately find the cure. While the cure is still unknown, there are however certain things you can do to help reduce your risk of dementia.

Certain lifestyle changes that help reduce your risk of dementia include:

Get plenty of sleep. Studies show that sleep deprivation over time may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Eat a healthy diet. Eat plenty of leafy vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, and poultry, as these are considered “brain healthy” foods.

Stay active. Doing exercises regularly is a great way to stay healthy overall and reduce the risks of dementia.

Exercise the brain. Doing puzzles, board games, taking a class, and reading are great activities to keep your brain in shape.

Maintain good heart health. Studies have shown that heart health plays a key role in brain health. Many people who suffer from dementia typically also have heart issues such as heart disease.

Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Heavy drinking negatively influences brain function for many reasons; one reason being that it negatively affects the vascular system and increases blood pressure.

If you’d like to learn more, the expert dementia and Alzheimer’s care providers at Comprehensive Home Care, are here to help. Call us at 704.333.5214 to see how we can assist.

Sources:

https://www.cbsnews.com/media/mind-diet-foods-avoid-alzheimers-boost-brain-health/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320969.php

The Potential Alzheimer’s Cause We May Have Been Missing

Still ringing true today, Thomas Edison’s words hold special meaning regarding the cause and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, “I have not failed 10,000 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 10,000 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work”.  New clinical studies and research give hope to the search for a cure. The newest results may have changed everything.

Check out the newest Alzheimer’s research:

Christian Holscher, a neuroscientist, advises that in order to win the war against Alzheimer’s, we have to look beyond the plaque theory. Alois Alzheimer, the founder of the disease, researched the plaques found exclusively in older brains. He, however, mentioned there’s no evidence to prove they cause the disease. Yet researchers have persistently honed in on these plaques as the culprit, only to come up empty-handed.

Holscher proposes a unique theory that should be explored instead: the link between Alzheimer’s and insulin. We know that those with type 2 diabetes have a greater risk. We also know that brain cells require insulin to grow and stay healthy. Could insulin deficits lead to the types of irreparable neuron damage exhibited in Alzheimer’s? Brain tissue from Alzheimer’s patients shows how insulin loses effectiveness in brain cell growth in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. This led scientists to the conclusion that testing diabetic treatments on people that have Alzheimer’s is worth a try. 

Comprehensive Home Care will continue to closely follow any and all developments in the continuous search for an end to the disease. If you’re currently caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s feel free to contact us.  Our home care team is highly skilled and experienced in effectively managing a number of the more challenging aspects of the disease while supporting those affected to live life to their fullest potential. 

Contact us online or at 704-333-5214 to obtain more Alzheimer’s disease resources and to schedule a totally free consultation, right in the comfort of home, for more information on our professional in-home care assistance.

Check out How to Recognize the Signs of Dementia to learn more about the warning signs and symptoms of dementia.