Medical Update September 2023

Medical Guide, September 2023— 13 C ognitivehealthisnotsomethingtotake for granted. Althougha certain level of memory loss can be expected as people age, when the ability to clearly think, learn and remember is compromised, those changes can a ff ect an individual’s ability to perform daily activities and should serve as a cause for concern. Brain health should be a priority for everyone. TheNational Institute onAging says brain health is an umbrella term that encompasses a host of factors, including: • cognitive health, which is how well you think, learn and remember • motor function, or how you make and control movements • tactile function, which is how you feel sensations; and • emotional function, or how emotions are interpreted and responded to. Individuals cansafeguardbrainhealth - particularly cognitive health - by taking these steps. Bemore health-conscious Working with doctors, individuals can put their health fi rst. This includes getting routine screenings, managing chronic health problems, limiting or avoiding alcohol andnicotine products, andgetting the recommended amount of sleep each night. Manage high blood pressure All chronic conditions cause long- termrepercussions,but theNIAindicates that observational studies show having high blood pressure in mid-life increases the risk of cognitive decline later in life. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk for mild cognitive impairment and possibly dementia. Challenge your brain Harvard Medical School says nurturing social contacts, engaging in stimulating mental activities like reading and doing puzzles, seeing new places, and learning new things can help keep the brain in top form. Manage stress Stress can take its toll on the body, and there is reason to believe that it may adversely a ff ect cognitive health as well. Make every stride to reduce stress, whether that involves taking vacations, meditating, laughing with friends and family, or engaging in relaxing activities that relieve stress. Get enough vitamin D Vitamin D is linked to a host health bene fi ts, including its potential to promote a healthy brain. Individuals can get more time outdoors to get vitamin D naturally from the sun and eat foods rich in vitamin D. If doctors fi nd that vitamin D levels are exceptionally low, supplementation can help. Pay attention to hearing loss Certain hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline, says Healthline. Researchers in Italy concluded that people with central hearing loss had a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment than those with no hearing loss or peripheral hearing loss. Individuals with central hearing loss are urged to speak to their physicians to determine if they can take preventive action to stave o ff further decline. Cognitive health should be a priority. Adults can employ various strategies to reduce their risk of cognitive decline as they age. How to protect long-term cognitive health V arious changes to appearance and health are associated with aging. Issues such as diminished vision, waning muscle strength and gray hairs are among the more common and noticeable side e ff ects of aging. Cognitive decline is another symptom often associated with aging, even if that needn’t be the case. Certain lifestyle choices can protect against cognitive decline anddementias. While there is no sure fi re way to prevent dementias, here are some good habits for maintaining cognitive function well into your golden years. Exercise frequently HarvardHealthreports thatexercise, in addition to the many other bene fi ts it provides, may help improve cognitive function in people who have already experienced memory issues. Exercise may be particularly advantageous to people who carry the APOE4 gene variant, which makes people more susceptible to Alzheimer’s. Speak with a doctor about how much exercise is needed and what is safe for your age. Enjoy video games Playing a favorite video game may improve long-term cognitive function. Researchers at Cambridge Brain Sciences found study participants who played non-cognitive-training video games were associated with better performance in several cognitive domains, but only for younger (age 18 to 64) participants. Cognitive training games, on the other hand, were not associated with any cognitive improvement. Stay socially engaged According to a study published in the journal Experimental Aging Research, seniors who have high levels of social engagement also have better cognitive function. Getting together with friends, participating in a club, attending religious studies, and any other activity that gets you out with other people can help with cognitive function. Eat a healthy diet Eating a diverse array of healthy foods is bene fi cial. Nutritious diets can help reduce the risk for illnesses that may a ff ect cognitive ability. Eating well also helps keep the brain healthy. A Mediterranean diet appears to lower the risk or slow the progression of dementia in people who have the condition. Get help for sleep disorders Lack of sleep can a ff ect memory and learning. By getting help for sleep disorders, you may reduce your risk for cognitive issues. While it is not possible to prevent or cure cognitive conditions like dementias with lifestyle changes, certain behaviors can lower the risk of developing these illnesses or reduce their severity. Habits that affect cognnitive health