WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU BRAIN WHEN YOU GET OLDER?
Your brain's volume gradually shrinks as you get older. When this occurs, some of the nerve cells in your brain can shrink or lose connections with other nerve cells. Blood flow within your brain slows somewhat in old age, as well. These age-related changes are thought to be behind the differences in cognitive function many people notice as they age. Everyone has lapses in memory from time to time, but significant memory loss is not a normal part of old age. It's important to talk with your doctor if you or a loved one is experiencing memory loss and other cognitive symptoms that interfere with normal activities and relationships.
WHAT ARE THE BRAIN CHANGES THAT LEAD TO DEMENTIA?
Dementia is the impairment of mental functions, including memory, language skills, perception, reasoning, and judgment. There are several different causes of dementia, including:
- Alzheimer's Disease: The most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer's disease occurs when nerve cells in the brain become damaged or die, which leads to a gradual decline in cognitive ability.
- Vascular Dementia: The second leading cause of dementia, vascular dementia occurs when the nerve fibres in the brain are damaged by cerebrovascular or cardiovascular problems – most often strokes.
- Lewy Body Dementia: Lewy body disease is when brain cells located in certain areas of the brain die, leaving abnormal, protein-filled nerve cells known as Lewy bodies.
- Frontotemporal Dementia: Frontotemporal dementia occurs because nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain degenerate, which can interfere with brain activity and result in brain cell death.
Other types of dementia include Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, Huntington's disease, head trauma, and other health conditions can affect nerve cells in the brain, leading to symptoms of dementia.
HOW TO STAY MENTALLY SHARP?
Promising research indicates that taking the following steps can help keep your mind sharp as you age:
- Control cholesterol problems and high blood pressure can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, which are thought to contribute to the development of certain types of dementia. Cardiovascular health — having healthy blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure, along with being physically active, eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking — was associated with better cognitive function.
- Don't smoke or drink excessively, as these may putt you at increased risk for dementia, kick the habit if you smoke and, if you drink, do so only in moderation.
- Regular physical activity is thought to help maintain blood flow to the brain and reduce your risk for conditions such as high blood pressure that are associated with the development of dementia.
- People who consume plenty of vegetables and fatty fish and keep away from saturated fats are thought to have a lower risk for cognitive decline.
- Keep your mind active by increasing your level of social interaction, learning new skills, playing challenging games, and doing other activities that require an engaged mind. People who are more socially and intellectually involved are less likely to develop dementia.
WHY KIMS?
KIMS, with one of the best brain treatment specialist in Hyderabad, offers services that are collectively the most comprehensive neurology and neurosurgical care system in Hyderabad. Our full-range of clinical neuroscience services include total brain, spine, nerve and muscle conditions.
Our team of Neuro Physician in Hyderabad utilizes the most state-of- the-art diagnostic and treatment technology for the treatment of dementia, seizure and epilepsy, balance, dizziness, brain and spinal trauma, headache, mental health, multiple sclerosis, and neurologic rehabilitation.
We offer complete and comprehensive care, from diagnosis through long term treatment of all neurological and related conditions.