, Author at ReaDementia

Is There A Connection Between Dementia And Concussion?

Petra Boh Blog, Causes February 26, 2021October 16, 2021concussion, dementia, head injury

Dementia researchers for a long time have been fascinated by the potential link between the risk of developing dementia after a concussion.

Mayo Clinic defines a concussion as a traumatic brain injury that affects the functions of the brain.

Its effects are normally temporary and can include headaches as well as problems with memory, coordination, balance, and concentration.

Can a Concussion Make Dementia Worse?

Blows to the head or violently shaking the upper body and head are the main causes of concussions.

In short, any severe head injury can lead to a concussion.

There is a very high chance that people will experience a concussion after falling or a motor accident.

Concussions are also common for people who play sports like soccer or football, as well as boxing.

Alzheimer’s Association describes dementia as a general term for loss of memory, problem-solving, language, and other thinking abilities.

It ends up affecting an individual’s daily life.

Many people with concussions usually recover fully.

New research, however, shows that there may be a link between increased risk of dementia development for people who have experienced concussions.

Some Studies Support The Increased Risk After Concussion

Several studies are supporting the idea that the risk of dementia can be increased by concussions.

One of the studies published in JAMA Neurology in May 2018 suggests that having a concussion can lead to increased dementia risk even when the person did not experience loss of consciousness.

The study was conducted by a team at UCSF (University of California).

There were over 350,000 participants in the study whose average age was 49. The researchers followed the participants for about 4.2 years.

The researchers also discovered that concussion without loss of consciousness accounted for a 2.4 fold in dementia increased risk.

When the concussion resulted in a loss of consciousness the risk of dementia increased up to 2.5 times higher.

The risk was higher for persons who experienced a moderate-to-severe traumatic injury almost four times (3.77).

The study also acknowledged that concussions in the general population were also risky for dementia and not for veterans alone. They draw the participants from two databases.

One of them has a list of all-era veterans who experienced concussions during military or civilian life.

The other has vets serving war zones meaning most of their injuries occurred in combat zones for example for shockwaves in blasts.

Concussions are risky for people with dementia

The findings were similar in both groups.

This indicated that concussions happening in combat areas are as likely linked to the development of dementia as those affecting the general population according to Deborah Barnes the first author Ph.D., MPH, professor in UCSF psychiatry, epidemiology and biostatistics department.

The experts advised people who experienced concussions to seek medical attention. Also, to allow time to heal as well as try and avoid other concussions.

Although the research did not examine the issue of repeat concussions directly, there is growing evidence that it may result in a cumulative effect.

Different research from Boston University Medical Centre also concludes that there is a link between concussions and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Note, AD is one of the most common causes of dementia.

The experts on the study concluded that concussions speed up cognitive decline and brain atrophy that relates to Alzheimer’s especially in persons who are at genetic risk for the medical condition. You can find these findings in the Brain journal.

The researchers observed 160 Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans.

Among them were participants who had suffered one or more concussions and others who had never had a concussion.

Concussions and genetics are crucial

The professionals used MRI imaging to study the thickness of the participant’s cerebral cortex in regions that first show atrophy in AD.

They found that those who experienced a concussion had lower cortical thickness in the regions of the brain that are first affected by Alzheimer’s.

Their results suggest that concussions when combined with genetic factors may play a role in accelerating memory decline and cortical thickness in AD’s relevant areas.

The experts on the study hope that other researchers will build-up on their findings to discover the concussion-related mechanisms that increase the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and others.

As a result, treatment may target the mechanisms which might lead to delaying the onset of neurodegenerative pathology.

Dementia and Concussion Closing Remarks

Currently, experts do not know the long-term effects that concussions cause.

More ‘dementia and concussion’ research is still necessary to determine whether concussions cause dementia development in later years.

Benefits of Dance Therapy and Dementia

Petra Boh Blog, Prevention February 22, 2021October 16, 2021dance therapy, dementia

One of the most prominent topics that come up when talking about dementia treatment therapies and approaches has got to be dance therapy and dementia.

According to the American Dance Therapy Association, dance therapy or DMT is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the social, emotional, physical, cognitive and spiritual integration of an individual.

The therapy supports that body, mind, and spirit are connected and that humans should be treated in a way that supports the integration of all three.

This versatile type of therapy is also founded on the idea that emotion and motion are interconnected.

How does dancing help dementia?

Many experts recommend dance therapy for persons who have the neurodegenerative disease.

It can maintain or even improve cognitive function and memory at times.

The therapy stimulates memories and offers reminiscence opportunities. It also offers other perks such as:

Helps with Communication

Dance therapy has been known to encourage communication, engagement, and offer an outlet for self-expression.

Dancing can help persons express non-verbal behaviors, body language, and regulate emotions.

This is something that can sharpen communication skills as a person becomes more social, confident, and attentive to others.

It especially helps persons with dementia who tend to withdraw socially.

Moreover, it can brighten up their lives when they meet up with a group of people who are facing the same challenges to do something fun and meaningful with their lives.

Strengthens Body and Mind Connection

Another perk you should be aware of when it comes to dance therapy and dementia is that it helps to eliminate or reduce problematic behaviors that are a result of the neurodegenerative disease.

This can include symptoms like agitation which arise when people with dementia feel frustrated because of their changing abilities.

The therapy is not only reassuring, but it also helps to boost self-esteem and self-confidence while making a person feel calmer.

Enhances Mood and Reduces Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

A randomized controlled trial done on the effects of physical exercise and psychophysiological dance movement therapy on seniors with mild dementia reveals that the therapy helps to decrease loneliness, depression, and negative mood significantly.

The trial recruited 204 elderly persons that had a positive mild dementia diagnosis.

Researchers followed the group for over 12 months after they completed self-report questionnaires on daily functioning, psychosocial well-being, salivary cortisol measures, and neurocognitive assessments.

Builds Motor-Skills

When people with dementia take some time to enjoy dance therapy, it can help with coordination and balance which builds motor skills.

It can also help with maintaining motor functioning for the persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

All this is thanks to the physical component of dance therapy that helps to increase coordination, muscle strength, and mobility.

It also helps to reduce muscular tension.

Promotes Relaxation

The therapy is great for relaxation because it helps to increase endorphins in the brain.

As a result of this, it helps the suffering individuals experience rhythmic movements and a sense of well-being which can make people feel more relaxed.

Improves Quality of Life

Another New Zealand pilot study touching on dance therapy and dementia also supports the idea that dance therapy has a positive effect on persons with dementia.

The researchers published their findings in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias.

They stated that seniors with dementia seem to experience an improved quality of life after being exposed to dance and music.

Researchers from the Department of Psychological Medicine and the Department of Dance used natural gestures as well as familiar reminiscent music on a group of 22 participants to come up with an original dance exercise series.

Ting Choo the lead author and Dance Studies Masters graduate explained that their aim of the study was to offer social interaction, mood moderation, and mental stimulation in a bid to improve quality of life for persons with dementia.

The researchers scheduled 10 weekly sessions offering imagination, intuition, and humor which encouraged participants to interact and dance with joy.

The findings revealed that the participants positively responded to the music and showed enthusiasm in moving to the beats in spite of their physical limitations.

During each session, the researchers observed that there was a positive response concerning spontaneous dancing, memory recalling, and joking among the participants.

Choo noted that music stimulates better response when compared to verbal instructions when dealing with individuals who are immobile and passive.

Based on the results, researchers now plan to expand their pilot study to cater for the conditions and the participants in a better way.

Choo hopes that further research can attract more support from the community.

Closing Remarks

Going through the above benefits, it is clear why dementia and dance therapy is an essential topic to discuss.

The therapy does not only involve dancing but rhythm playing, singing, physical exercise, and other fun structured musical activities that are beneficial to persons with dementia.

Coping with Alzheimer’s and Diarrhea [6 Tips]

Petra Boh Blog, Signs February 22, 2021November 19, 2023alzheimer's, dementia, diarrhea

Many elderly persons at some point in their lives may have to deal with Alzheimer’s and diarrhea.

Diarrhea happens when an individual gets three or more watery or unformed stools in 24 hours.

It can be a very tiring time for the affected individual as well as the caregivers.

Can Alzheimer’s cause diarrhea?

There are several reasons a person with Alzheimer’s may experience diarrhea and toilet problems, such as:

1. Medication side effect: Some Alzheimer’s drugs and other medications that a person may be taking could be the cause of diarrhea.
2. Viruses or bacteria: These infections can result in diarrhea.
3. Abdominal Surgery: At times recent surgery especially in the belly area around the gallbladder or intestines can cause diarrhea.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Most people who have cramps and diarrhea for no apparent reason may have IBS. This can be caused by stress, lack of exercise, and some food.
5. Malabsorption syndromes: This usually occurs when the body is not getting enough nutrients from the intestines. Examples of these include celiac disease and lactose intolerance.

After knowing some of the reasons persons with Alzheimer’s may get diarrhea, let’s look into some of the symptoms to be on the lookout for when someone has diarrhea.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

Several warning signs may showcase a person has diarrhea, such as:

Urgent need to have a bowel movement
Bloating
Abdominal Cramps or pain
Nausea
Mucus in stool
Bloody stool, chills, or fever are symptoms that can show up if it is bacteria or virus causing the unformed stool

With this in mind, it is time to jump into some of the coping mechanisms that can help deal with a person who has Alzheimer’s and diarrhea.

Increase Fluid Uptake

A person who is going through diarrhea ends up losing a lot of fluids in their body and they are at risk of dehydration.

Caregivers should make sure the person with Alzheimer’s and diarrhea gets plenty to drink.

If an individual can keep liquids down, try and give them water, juice, sports drink, and soda but steer clear from anything that has caffeine or alcohol.

They should drink the fluids even though they are not feeling thirsty.

Apart from water, the other drinks help to put back potassium and sodium that diarrhea deprives the body.

If someone is vomiting, they may not be able to keep the liquids down. This calls for improvising where you feed them small amounts of liquids say one or two tablespoons after every 15 minutes.

If this is not sustainable, you may need to head to the doctors so that the suffering individual can be put on IV fluids.

Offer Easy-to-Digest and Low-Fiber Foods

A person who has diarrhea needs to eat foods that are high in fiber and are easy to digest.

Examples of these include eggs, toast, saltine crackers, rice, chicken, or yogurt.

When giving cooked food make sure they are well-cleaned and cooked so that the foods do not end up making the problem worse.

It is advisable to stay away from heavily seasoned foods, spicy meals, and foods that have high-fat content. Cabbage, beans, raw vegetables, and fruits can also make diarrhea worse.

Avoid Medication

Where necessary, it is usually best to avoid medication when dealing with Alzheimer’s and diarrhea.

This is because diarrhea helps to eliminate viral or bacterial infections.

If a person takes the drugs, the infection may end up staying longer in the body causing more problems. In most cases, diarrhea episodes will last for two days and clear up on their own.

However, if a person must take medication, it is best to seek advice from an expert medic to get a proper prescription.

Keep in mind that the affected individual should stay away from medication if they have a high fever, have been constipated recently, has a swollen belly, or still has diarrhea even after two days.

It is also not advisable for the person to take medication if they have black, tarry stool, blood in the stool, or stool that has a cranberry color.

Use of Supplements

Some supplements can help deal with diarrhea for persons who have dementia.

However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking anything so that the professional can give you the green light or offer some solid recommendations.

The most common supplements include probiotics that feature normal intestinal bacteria that can help successfully stop the watery stools.

Ensure the Person is as Comfortable as Possible

Diarrhea comes with a lot of discomforts; thus, it is important to make sure that the affected individuals end up feeling as comfortable as possible.

If possible, the person should stay near the washroom so that they can dash in anytime they need to use the toilet.

When mobility is an issue, caregivers may want to consider the use of adult diapers, pads.

Approach this topic with caution because it can be embarrassing for a person who has never used them before.

Change the “briefs” often so that they are not the cause of additional discomfort during the diarrhea period.

Consult a Doctor

If you try most home remedies and they do not seem to work for Alzheimer’s and diarrhea, it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

The professional will run the necessary tests and offer proper medication.

Other circumstances where it is important to call the doctor include:

When a person has had over six watery or unformed stools within two hours
If diarrhea happens right after constipation
Pale, greasy, and foul-smelling stools
Diarrhea that goes on for more than 7 days
Diarrhea that is accompanied by a low-grade fever of about 99-101 F (37.2-38.3 °C) that lasts for over 48 hours
When there is blood in the stool
If vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea

Naturally, a person who has diarrhea may not want to walk into the doctor’s office.

At this point, you may want to consider the services of mobile healthcare professionals.

The experts will travel to the patient and offer home treatment that many persons with Alzheimer’s and diarrhea may prefer.

Dementia and Cholesterol – Is There a Risk?

Petra Boh Blog, Causes February 21, 2021October 16, 2021alzheimer's disease, cholesterol, dementia, vascular dementia

Several studies report that there is a link between dementia and cholesterol levels in the human body.

Before getting deeper into this, it is important to note that cholesterol is essential for the healthy functioning of the body.

But there is a catch.

Is There a Link Between Dementia and Cholesterol?

Without this, people would not be able to produce hormones or digest food.

We can describe cholesterol as a waxy-like fatty substance that the liver produces.

It is also present in some foods. Cholesterol circulates through the blood-stream in carries known as lipoproteins made of proteins and fats.

Even though the fatty substance is beneficial, too much cholesterol in the blood can harm vascular and heart health.

There are two types of cholesterol

1. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – also known as “good cholesterol” this is responsible for preventing the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. Not just that, but it also protects a person against stroke and heart attack.

2. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) – referred to as “bad cholesterol” this is what causes high levels of cholesterol.

With this in mind, let’s jump into the relationship between dementia and cholesterol.

Health experts agree that watching cholesterol levels can help keep Alzheimer’s disease at bay which is one of the most common dementia types.

It can also help prevent the development of vascular dementia which is one of the most common types of dementia.

Below we will expound more on how lowering cholesterol may be instrumental in starving off dementia.

Studies on How High Levels of Cholesterol can Increase Dementia Risk

One of the factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing dementia is high cholesterol.

A neurology study borrowing insights from Niemann Pick-C disease and Down’s syndrome stated that high cholesterol disrupts the process of cell division.

Dr. Kensuke Sasaki one of the authors of this study said that his team of researchers discovered that high levels of cholesterol were related to brain plaques that are markers for Alzheimer’s disease.

Kensuke is a researcher at Kyushu University in Japan.

Together with his team of professionals, they tested cholesterol levels for about 2600 people aged 40-79.

At the beginning of the study, all the participants were dementia-free. The researchers then checked on the participants after 10-15 years.

They also conducted autopsies on the persons who had passed on. They found 34% of the individuals had been diagnosed with dementia.

Autopsies also revealed hallmark tangles and plaques of the illness which normally translated to protein build-up in the brain.

The study recorded that 86% of individuals with high levels of cholesterol had brain plaques.

Only 62% of the people with low cholesterol had plaques.

A similar study investigating the link between dementia and cholesterol was reported by researchers in Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Low levels of HDL can contribute to a memory decline

In this study, professionals observed 3,673 participants from the Whitehall II study. 26.8% of the subjects were women.

The researchers discovered that low levels of HDL cholesterol were among the major predictors of declining memory by the time a person turns 60.

The experts came to the conclusion after measuring lipid concentrations in blood samples they collected after the participants underwent an eight-hour fast.

Researchers at Emory University and the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Centre also conducted a study that found an association between early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and high LDL cholesterol levels.

This condition is considered “early-onset” when it develops before a person is 65 years.

To find out whether early-onset AD is related to cholesterol the experts sequenced various genomic regions of 2,125 participants.

Among them, 654 already had early-onset Alzheimer’s while 1,472 wee controls.

The researchers also went ahead to test blood samples from 267 subjects to determine their LDL cholesterol levels.

From the blood samples, the experts discovered that people with elevated LDL levels were more likely to develop early-onset AD when compared to persons with lower levels of cholesterol.

They published their findings in JAMA Neurology.

Contracting Studies on the Link between Risk of Dementia and Cholesterol Levels

While many studies state that high cholesterol levels can increase dementia risk, some scientists in the US dispute this.

They are on record stating that high cholesterol levels in seniors over 85 have been linked to reduced decline in thinking abilities and memory.

They published their findings in Alzheimer’s and Dementia a scientific journal.

Knowing that high levels of cholesterol were linked to cardiovascular diseases and higher dementia risk, the scientists opted to study people who are over the age of 85.

In their study, they found that the elderly who had already celebrated their 85th birthday has fewer problems with thinking and memory even though they also had higher levels of cholesterol.

Chief Scientific Officer of Alzheimer’s Research UK Dr. David Reynolds said that although most of the evidence points towards the dangers of high cholesterol levels it is not easy to pinpoint one dementia factor in the group of seniors who do not have the disease.

He continued to explain that high cholesterol levels in the participants of the study might have been linked to enhanced cognitive function because it was a reflection of the genetic makeup of individuals who live to an advanced age instead of the cholesterol levels in their blood.

There is still no evidence or suggestion from the research that people need to increase their levels of cholesterol levels to sustain a healthy brain.

Because of the results of this study, the impact of high cholesterol levels remains a controversial and intriguing subject.

Closing Remarks

Seeing that overwhelming evidence points to the association between dementia and cholesterol levels, everyone must get to know the levels of this waxy-like fatty substance in their blood.

The recommendation for adults over the age of 40 is to take a blood test once every 5 years which can help in identifying the risk.

Women who are above 50 years and men who are over 45 may need to take the tests more frequently.

For now, scientists will continue to explore the role that cholesterol has in dementia development.

Calcium Supplements and Dementia Risk

Petra Boh Blog, Causes February 21, 2021February 22, 2022calcium supplements, dementia

A new study has revealed that there may be a link between calcium supplements and dementia risk. This was published in the peer-reviewed journal Neurology.

It reported that women who take calcium supplements are at a higher risk of developing dementia.

This especially applies if they suffered from cerebrovascular diseases.

These are conditions that are a result of problems that affect the supply of blood to the brain. Stroke, vascular dementia, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and transient ischemic attack are some of the common cerebrovascular diseases.

Calcium Supplementation Linked to Dementia Risk

The reality of the study results, however, are not certain. The study was conducted on a small sample comprised of 98 women.

But it is the beginning.

So far, no one yet did a similar study on men.

It’s women who are more prevalent in taking the supplements in the first place.

Additionally, the study only focused on women from Sweden.

The entire study observed 700 Swedish women all who were 70 years and above.

All the participants did not have dementia. Also, not all were taking calcium supplements.

During the onset of the study, all the women took tests to measure their thinking skills and memory.

They then repeated the process at the end of the study.

More than half of the participants also underwent CT brain scans at the beginning of the research.

71% of this group had lesions in the white matter which is one of the markers for cerebrovascular disease.

Lesions in white matter tissue show evidence of a mini-stroke or other problems that are affecting the flow of blood within the brain.

The researchers then committed to monitoring the use of calcium supplements among the participants.

Women taking calcium supplements are at higher risk of developing dementia

From this group, only 98 were taking calcium supplements. 14.3% of these women who were taking supplements developed dementia after just five years.

Comparing this to 7.5% of ladies who did not get the neurodegenerative disease, researchers concluded that taking calcium supplements increases the risk of developing dementia up to seven times after considering all other factors.

The risk of dementia was also recorded at three times higher in the ladies who took calcium supplements and had white matter brain lesions.

Many women who are older than 40 often take calcium supplements to treat osteoporosis. It is a condition that causes bones to become brittle and weak.

Further analysis from the Swedish study on calcium supplements and dementia risk revealed that the raised risk only affected ladies who already experienced a stroke.

This also applies to the women who had signs of blood vessel damage in their brains after a scan.

Note that these results were only based on 6 out of 15 women who had a history of stroke and 50 of 316 females who had blood vessel damage and were taking calcium supplements.

Experts on the study acknowledged that the study was relatively small and that it was an observational study whose findings needed to be confirmed.

They did not advocate for an immediate call of action based on their results.

Instead, Dr. Silke Kern who was part of the study said that ladies with osteoporosis and cerebrovascular diseases should discuss the results of the research with their doctors because the study does not prove causality.

The study was done by researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden in collaboration with other experts from University College London.

Different organizations provided grants for the study including the Swedish Research Council.

Why Calcium Supplements can Increase the Risk of Dementia

The study did not explain the exact relationship between calcium supplements and dementia. Kern says that calcium plays an essential role in the death of cells.

She explained that high calcium levels in the blood might trigger the death of neurons. Too much calcium can also affect blood vessels in the brain.

An associate professor of neurological science and director of research for Rush Heart Centre for Women Dr. Neelum Aggarwal said that calcium can affect brain chemistry which can cause degeneration of brain cells.

The doctor, however, cautioned against blaming calcium supplements for the increased risk of dementia.

Implications of the Study

If the results of the Swedish study on calcium supplements and dementia are anything to go by, it would be wise for people to look for other ways of getting the mineral.

This includes eating foods like green leafy vegetables, dairy products, nuts, sesame seeds, tofu, soya beans, fish like pilchards and sardines where you eat the bones, and whole grain bread.

Kern told, the findings only applied to calcium from supplements and not from food sources because they affect the brain in different ways.

The results of the study cannot be generalized for the entire population since it followed a small sample size.

However, if a person suffers from low levels of calcium and they are not getting the required dose from the diet, it is recommended you speak to your doctor who will offer guidance on whether the supplements are the way to go.

More research still needs to be done to confirm whether calcium supplements accelerate or cause the development of dementia.

Dementia and High Blood Pressure

Petra Boh Blog, Causes February 19, 2021October 16, 2021dementia, high blood pressure

Numerous research studies confirm that there is a link between dementia and high blood pressure.

High blood pressure also known as hypertension is a chronic condition where the force of blood against the artery walls becomes too high causing various health problems including strokes and heart attacks.

Hypertension is known to cause progressive brain damage.

Blood pressure usually measures the force that is applied to the arteries as blood is circulated by the heart around the body.

Normal blood pressure should read about 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension is constantly above 140/90 mmHg.

Common risk factors for high blood pressure include an unhealthy diet comprising mostly salty foods, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, being obese or overweight, taking steroid medication, drinking lots of caffeine and kidney disease.

Also, everyone in the family with a history of hypertension is at risk, as well as those of Caribbean or African descent.

Dementia is a general term that is used to describe problems with memory, problem-solving, language, and other thinking abilities that end up interfering with a person’s day-to-day life.

The disease is progressive implying that the symptoms will become worse over time.

Research on Dementia and High Blood Pressure

The World Alzheimer Report 2014 states that several studies observing large groups of individuals demonstrated that people with hypertension especially in mid-life were at high risk of developing vascular dementia one of the most common kinds of dementia later on in life.

The subjects were between the ages of 15-40 while mid-life was characterized by people between the ages of 40-64.

Vascular dementia occurs when there is an inadequate flow of blood to the brain which denies the organ essential nutrients and oxygen it needs to function properly.

People with hypertension are at higher risk

A study published by Oxford University Press in Cardiovascular Research also reports that persons who have hypertension are at a higher risk of getting dementia.

For the first time, the research also reveals that doctors can conduct an MRI to detect neurological damage for persons with high blood pressure before dementia symptoms occur.

Researchers came to this conclusion after subjecting individuals between the ages of 40-65 to undergo a 3 Tesla MRI scan at the Regional Excellent Hypertension Centre of the Italian Society of Hypertension of the I.R.C.C.S.

The participants of the study did not have a dementia diagnosis or any structural damage.

The subjects also underwent clinical examinations to know their hypertensive status as well as damage to the target organ.

They were also subjected to an MRI scan to identify any microstructural damage.

The results indicated that hypersensitive participants had major alternations in 3 specific white matter fiber tracts.

The group also scored worse in cognitive tests and decreased performances in memory, speed, and learning-related tasks.

This goes to show that it is possible to detect changes before a person starts showcasing symptoms. Medics can then offer medication that will prevent further deterioration in regard to brain function.

Hypertension medication and dementia

Another study worth mentioning about dementia and high blood pressure was conducted at the John Hopkins University.

Experts analyzed previously gathered data to report that persons taking hypertension medication were half as likely to end up with Alzheimer’s (the most common cause of dementia) when compared to the people who do not take the drugs.

Constantine Lyketsos, director of Memory and Alzheimer’s treatment at John Hopkins explained that people who do not have Alzheimer’s but are taking blood pressure drugs were less likely to develop dementia.

He went ahead to say that individuals who got dementia from Alzheimer’s and were taking specific antihypertensives were likely to experience slow or halt progress.

He concluded that it was still not clear where this connection arises.

It can either be from better management of blood pressure or some medications that may have some properties that interfere with some of the processes that relate to Alzheimer’s.

Women with high blood pressure are more like to get dementia

A sex-specific study reveals that women who experience hypertension in their 40’s are 73% more likely to get dementia later in life when compared to the ladies who did not have high blood pressure.

This was in a bid to determine how dementia strikes women and men differently.

Experts who conducted the study said they adjusted the results for other risk factors that can also lead to dementia including diabetes, smoking, and obesity which held true for all races.

This, however, was not the same case for men even though hypertension was more common among the male fraternity. The study that was published in the American Academy of Neurology journal observed more than 7,000 individuals.

The participants went through blood pressure checks at the age of 33 and again at 44 in the 60s and 70s. Researchers began to follow up to see the persons who developed dementia in 1996.

The results indicated that ladies who had hypertension in their 30’s did not have a higher dementia risk as compared to those with high blood pressure in their 40’s.

How Hypertension Affects the Brain

There are several ways high blood pressure affects the function of the brain. One of them is that over time, hypertension causes strain on the arteries.

This makes the artery walls become stiffer, thicker, and narrower a condition known as arteriosclerosis.

When this happens, the brain is deprived of important oxygen and nutrients which results in damaged brain cells that negatively affect the functioning of the brain.

Hypertension is also one of the major stroke risk factors.

One of the major reasons that cause strokes is the blockage of arteries in the brain which is usually a result of hardening arteries.

A stroke can also occur when an artery in the brain burst causing bleeding in the organ. Strokes can result in post-stroke or stroke-related vascular dementia.

When talking about dementia and high blood pressure, it is also important to mention that hypertension can damage small blood vessels in the brain.

This can affect the parts of the brain responsible for memory and thinking.

Closing Remarks

Even though the link between vascular dementia and high blood pressure is quite apparent, there is still no proof that lowering blood pressure can help to prevent the development of dementia.

More research needs to be done to identify the link between hypertension and dementia to see if anything can be done to prevent or treat dementia.

Migraine and Dementia: Is There a Link?

Petra Boh Blog, Signs February 19, 2021October 16, 2021alzheimer's disease, dementia, migraine

Research looking into the link between migraine and dementia reveals that migraines are among the top dementia risk-factors.

Migraines are a neurological disease that involves repetitive and severe headaches as well as other symptoms.

In some cases, there may be an aura which is a sensory change before the headache occurs. Migraines are not your typical headaches.

They can last for days and can affect an individual’s daily life including their ability to study or work.

The Migraine Research Foundation reports that the disease affects one billion people across the globe.

That makes it the 3rd most widespread disease in the world.

Are Migraines and Dementia Closely Related?

Dementia on the other hand is not a specific disease but a group of conditions that are characterized by impairment of brain functions like judgment and memory loss.

One of the reasons why researchers were interested in studying dementia and migraines is because both are common neurological diseases.

While dementia mostly affects seniors, migraines usually affect people of all ages.

One of the studies that support the idea that there is an association between migraine and dementia was published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

It explains that researchers talked to 679 seniors asking them about their migraine history. More than half of this group were women and none had a history of cognitive problems.

Are migraine sufferers more likely to develop one form of dementia?

The average age of the subjects was 76. The experts pursued elderly individuals for 5 years and discovered that 51 of them had a positive dementia diagnosis.

Considering factors such as age and education, the researchers found that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were over four times more likely to have had migraine attacks.

AD is one of the most common forms of dementia.

Suzanne L. Tyas a senior author of the study said that persons with migraines history were three times more likely to develop a kind of dementia and four times more as likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

The study, however, did not find a link between migraines and vascular dementia.

What affects migraines?

According to Rebecca Edelmaye, director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, the link between migraine and dementia is advanced by the fact that migraines affect the lifestyle decisions of a person.

This includes not eating a healthy diet, poor sleep, reduced social/cognitive stimulation, and not being active.

These factors have very much in common with those known to increase the risk of dementia.

Previous research had found connections between dementia risk and migraines. Scientists have, however, not yet pinpointed the exact link between the two diseases.

Many suspect that it has a lot to do with vascular risk factors like diabetes and hypertension. On record, these are potential dementia risk factors.

Research also reveals that long-term migraines can alter the structure of the brain resulting in some destructive effects.

A study published in Neurology in 2013 examined the contribution of migraines to structural changes in the brain including volumetric changes in white and gray matter, white matter abnormalities, and infract-like lesions.

Experts in this study were looking for solid evidence and a better understanding of the relationship between migraine and dementia.

Implications of the Studies

There are a couple of things that come up after the discovery that there is a link between migraine and dementia.

One of them is the fact that the research can help medics predict better the people who are at risk of this neurodegenerative disease.

This might also lead to early detection of the disease. This is an essential part of treatment according to the professionals.

Early detection is helpful because it means that affected individuals can start treatment as soon as possible. It can, in turn, enhance the effectiveness of the treatment therapies.

This can also empower persons with the illness and their loved ones to make the proper decisions at the right time.

There is also a chance that future research will better explain how migraines affect Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia as well as how to ease the risk.

Stroke and Dementia: Is There A Link?

Petra Boh Blog, Signs February 19, 2021October 16, 2021dementia, stroke

Several studies confirm that there is a link between stroke and dementia.

A stroke occurs when brain cells are damaged or die-off because the flow of blood to the organ is interrupted.

This kind of damage can lead to the development of dementia because it results in problems with thinking and memory.

Dementia is a group of symptoms that result in cognitive decline.

This includes problems with communication, memory, and concentration.

Statistics indicate that having a stroke doubles the risk of developing dementia.

Understanding Stroke and Dementia

The conclusion was made after a large-scale study led by The University of Exeter Medical School. Researchers analyzed data on stroke and dementia risk from over three million people from across the globe.

The experts were building on research that has been previously done but had not quantified the extent that stroke increases the risk of dementia.

The research analyzed 36 studies where 1.9 million subjects had a history of stroke.

They went ahead and also examined twelve more studies where the participants had a recent stroke during the period of the research adding 1.3 million people.

Stroke increases the risk of dementia by 70%

Dr. ILianna Lourida who was part of the study from the university said that they discovered that a history of stroke increases the risk of dementia by about 70%.

Moreover, recent strokes increase the risk by more than double.

The link between dementia and stroke was prevalent even after the experts took into account other dementia risk factors like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and blood pressure.

Findings from this study released strong evidence that having a stroke increases dementia risk significantly.

This was important given how common dementia and stroke are.

World Health Organization reports that 50 million people around the world have dementia and the number will continue to rise significantly.

Meanwhile, 15 million individuals experience strokes yearly.

The study on stroke and dementia is also useful because it can help with the prevention or treatment of dementia.

Dr. David Llewellyn who hails from the University of Exeter Medical School believes that about 1/3rd of the cases of dementia are preventable.

He reckons that protecting the supply of blood to the brain might help to reduce dementia cases.

The research was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of The Alzheimer’s Association one of the top dementia journals.

What Type of Dementia are People with Stroke Likely to Get?

When talking about stroke and dementia, it is important to note that a majority of people who suffer from stroke will end up developing vascular dementia.

This is one of the most common dementia types.

It is not to say that every person who has a stroke will end up with vascular dementia.

The risk may also depend on sex, age, family history, and severity and location of the stroke.

In addition to damaged brain cells, vascular dementia can also develop after an individual experiences a series of silent strokes.

These usually cause small areas of damage in the brain.

They are known as silent strokes because in most cases, the strokes are usually so small that a person may not even know when they are happening.

Worth mentioning is that it is possible to confuse vascular dementia with the effects of stroke.

Both medical conditions can cause issues with memory, mood, and thinking.

If a person with stroke experiences these problems and they do not improve but seem to get worse, it could be an indication that they have vascular dementia.

If caused by a single stroke, the symptoms of vascular dementia can appear suddenly.

They tend to appear gradually if the symptoms are caused by silent strokes. In the absence of dementia, these symptoms will improve after some time.

Experts also believe that stroke can cause dementia at any age. As people grow older, their risk of stroke and dementia increases.

Nowadays, however, stroke risk factors are increasing even for younger adults.

The same case applies to dementia where individuals can start developing the neurodegenerative disease in their 40’s or younger.

Smoking and Dementia Risk

Petra Boh Blog, Causes February 18, 2021October 16, 2021dementia, smoking

Recently, there has been a lot of controversial information about smoking and dementia. Does it damage brain health?

Some studies strongly state that smoking increases dementia risk.

Other research reveals that there is no link between dementia and smoking. Some reports even suggest that active smoking has beneficial effects on the brain.

Conversely, there is evidence suggesting that active smoking has neurotoxic effects that double the risk of dementia for older adults.

Is There a Link Between Smoking and Dementia?

Tobacco is already recognized as one of the risk factors for several non-communicable diseases. These include diabetes, cancers, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular diseases.

According to Dr. Douglas Bettcher, tobacco is one of the largest threats to public health killing almost six million people every year.

Below, we will look at both sides of the debate.

This will give a better understanding of whether smoking increasing a person’s risk of getting dementia or not.

Studies Supporting the Fact that Smoking Increases Risk of Dementia

WHO (World Health Organization) published information stating that smokers have a 45% higher risk of developing dementia when compared to non-smokers.

This was done in collaboration with ADI (Alzheimer’s Disease International).

WHO reviewed the evidence that showcases a strong relationship between smoking and dementia risk. The organization also concluded that the risk becomes higher the more an individual smokes.

This is one of the reasons the organization is at the forefront of encouraging people to quit smoking because of all the negative effects it has.

It is estimated that about 14% of Alzheimer’s cases in the globe are attributed to smoking.

Alzheimer’s Society UK supports this statement explaining that there is strong evidence that smoking can increase a person’s risk of developing dementia.

Although not every smoker will end up with dementia, quitting smoking is thought to reduce the risk of equating it to that of non-smokers.

One of the primary reasons behind this is that vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease the two most common dementia forms are linked to issues with the vascular system i.e. blood vessels and heart.

Smoking is known to increase the risk of suffering vascular problems through smaller bleeds inside the brain or strokes.

These are among the top dementia risk factors.

Additionally, the toxins present in cigarette smoke are known to increase inflammation and oxidative stress

Does Second-Hand Smoking Increase the Risk of Dementia?

WHO also warns that passive smoking or exposure to 2nd hand smoke can also increase the risk of developing dementia.

A Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2010 supports the statement that second-hand smoke (SHS) can increase the risk of developing dementia.

The researchers observed 5,201 participants from different parts of the US all of who were 65 years or older for one year.

They also followed another group comprising African American participants for 12 months as well.

Out of these groups, the experts recorded 3,608 participants who had developed dementia after follow-ups.

The researchers asked the subjects if they had lived with a regular smoker and the number of years this happened.

They found out that over 60% of the individuals have lived with a smoker for over 15 years.

The experts concluded that exposure to high levels of second-hand smoking, as well as carotid artery stenosis, was associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, especially over six years.

This study also revealed that the risk of dementia increased three times for people who had more than 25 years of exposure to second-hand smoke.

SHS affects your body in the negative, too

The study goes ahead to explain that tobacco smoke contains numerous carcinogenic or toxic chemicals. These include heavy metals, vinyl chloride, arsenic, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, and carbon monoxide amongst thousands of others.

The chemicals are highly concentrated in SHS when compared to the smoke that smokers inhale.

Studies reveal that exposure to second-hand smoke in adults is associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment.

While looking into smoking and dementia, second-hand smoke may increase the risk of dementia indirectly because of the aggravating risks that relate to the disease.

SHS causes several vascular changes including the formation of lesions, carotid artery thickening, compromised endothelial function, platelet aggregation, and it may also lead to stroke.

These vascular changes have been known to increase the risk of dementia.

More studies, however, need to be conducted to establish the link between dementia and SHS.

Research that Finds No Link between Smoking and Dementia

While many studies ascertain that smoking increases the risk of dementia, some strongly state that smoking is not related to dementia risk.

One of the studies that support this observed 531 seniors for more than a decade.

The researchers did not find any link between elevated dementia risk and tobacco smoking.

The study was conducted at the University of Kentucky and the researchers said that they used a different method known as “competing for risk analysis” to analyze data.

At baseline, the experts recorded that no participant was cognitively impaired.

During that time, 231 participants were former smokers while 49 were current smokers. After follow-up 111 subjects got a positive dementia diagnosis. 242 persons also passed on without dementia.

Their analysis revealed that smoking led to early death and that smoking was not associated with dementia.

The experts, however, acknowledged that because the study only looked at individuals from a single research center, the results may not necessarily represent other populations.

Why Research on Smoking and Dementia is Complex

Despite researchers carrying out a multitude of studies trying to connect smoking and the risk of dementia, it remains complex for various reasons like:

1. Many studies will not have accurate data because the researchers will focus on comparing individuals and their smoking habits at certain points in their lives.

A person may not be able to tell how much they smoked at that point especially if they have already started to develop some dementia symptoms.

It may help if researchers commit to following a large group of people over a long time recording their smoking habits to collect accurate data.

2. Cigarette smoke contains different toxins and chemicals making it hard to identify the one that is causing the damage. Some experts strongly believe that one of them (nicotine) helps to reduce dementia risk.

3. Some lifestyle risk factors for dementia may be challenging to separate.

For instance, many individuals who smoke also consume alcohol which is another dementia risk factor.

4. Smoking has been documented as one of the leading causes of premature death. A majority of smokers will most likely breathe their last breath before dementia starts to develop.

This implies that smokers who live to be older may have certain traits such as genetics that may not be a true representation of the entire population.

5. Some studies that have reported protective tobacco effects were influenced by players in the tobacco industry.

Closing Thoughts

Because there is still no cure for dementia, it is important to focus more on prevention by changing some of the modifiable risk factors like smoking.

Research on smoking and dementia shows that there may be a decrease in the dementia burden in future years if there will be a decrease in smoking.

More research needs to be done to give out a final stand on whether smoking increases the risk of dementia or not.

Dementia and Multiple Sclerosis – Is There A Link?

Petra Boh Blog, Signs February 17, 2021October 16, 2021dementia, multiple sclerosis

Several studies have been conducted to investigate the link between dementia and multiple sclerosis.

Dementia is not a specific disease but a group of conditions that are characterized by impairment of various brain functions like judgment and memory loss amongst others.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be described as a neurological condition where the immune system attacks the human body. This leads to a process known as demyelination.

Note that nerve cells are covered in myelin which is a fatty protective coating.

This allows messages to travel faster between the brain and nerve endings. Myelin sheath found on the nerve cells is damaged when demyelination happens.

This can cause damage to the nerve cells leading to a wide range of mental and physical symptoms. Sclerosis stands for lesions or scars that appear in the white matter section of the brain.

Comparison of Dementia and Multiple Sclerosis

MS affects individuals in different ways. Some will experience loss of coordination, weakness, paralysis, and neuropathic pain.

Many people with MS will end up developing cognitive symptoms.

Cognition is how well memory works and the ability to think things through. It is also about how people maintain attention, focus, remember new things, learn, solve problems, use and understand language, reason, and carry out activities, etc.

Based on various studies with statistics varying depending on the type of study, experts estimate that about 40-60% of persons with MS experience cognitive impairment.

Another difference between dementia and multiple sclerosis is the age of diagnosis.

With dementia, many people will get the disease when they are older. This is different from MS because it mostly affects younger people.

Differences between Dementia and Multiple Sclerosis

One of the major differences between the two illnesses is the fact that brain damage in dementia is different from that of multiple sclerosis.

While some people with MS may showcase cognitive problems like slowed thinking, poor focus, and fuzzy memory, the symptoms are normally mild and do not affect daily life.

With dementia, everyone with the illness will have problems with their day-to-day lives.

Also, as the disease progresses, they may have to be fully dependent on caregivers for activities of daily life.

In most cases, multiple sclerosis will not hurt long-term memory or a person’s intelligence.

Experts also agree that MS does not majorly affect the ability to read or carry conversations. These are things that dementia changes.

Similarities between Dementia and Multiple Sclerosis

It is common for people with dementia to have communication problems.

In the beginning, they may have trouble understanding what people are saying.

They may also have a hard time using the right words to complete sentences; thus, making it hard to have conversations with others.

This also happens to people who have multiple sclerosis especially the ones who develop cognitive issues like blurred thinking.

This is where they will have challenges with finding the right words to say. They may also forget tasks they have already done or the things they need to do.

A high percentage also struggle to set priorities or plan ahead.

Many will likewise have challenges with concentrating especially when two things are happening at the same time.

Some people with MS may also experience emotional problems such as personality changes and mood swings which is common with persons with dementia.

Closing Thoughts

There is little known information about the coexistence of multiple sclerosis with other diseases of aging like dementia.

More research needs to be done in regards to the link between dementia and multiple sclerosis.

Anyone who has dementia and they suspect they have cognitive impairment should consult their doctor as soon as possible so that the professional can identify the best treatment options.