The potential between increased risk of dementia and traumatic brain injury has become a pressing issue as scientists try to find the link between the two.
These include signs such as memory loss, confusion, and changes in speech, personality, and vision.
Relationship Between Dementia and Traumatic Brain Injury
Depending on the severity of the head injury the symptoms can clear up fast, last a long time, or fail to go away altogether.
Keep in mind that symptoms a person experiences after an injury usually do not become worse over time which is usually the case with dementia.
Dementia affects about 47 million people worldwide and we expect the numbers to double in the next two decades.
Over 50 million people across the globe experience traumatic brain injury yearly.
Causes of TBI
This usually occurs when external forced disrupt the normal functions of the brain. Leading causes of TBI include falls, assaults, and motor vehicle accidents.
Research, however, notes that certain types of head injuries may increase the risk of someone developing different types of dementia.
Two primary factors seemingly affecting a person’s risk include the severity of the injury and the age when the injury happened.
Some studies suggest that more severe head injuries might increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which is one of the most common causes of dementia.
The risk also increases for persons who experience head injuries when they are older say 55 years and above.
Repeated mild injuries also increase the risk of having problems with reasoning and thinking in the future.
Brain injuries after 55 are risky
Check out essential details of a study that has been done to try and figure out the link between the risk of dementia and traumatic brain injury.
One of the larger studies reported that the risk of dementia as well as that of Alzheimer’s is significantly higher in persons who have experienced TBI than in those who have no history of traumatic brain injury.
The study that was conducted in Denmark observed almost 2.8 million participants and they began in 1977.
The large study population involved a 36-year follow-up where researchers gained access to a uniform healthcare system that tracks the severity and numbers of traumatic brain injuries.
Among the millions of participants, the research indicated that 4.7% have at least one diagnosis of traumatic brain injury.
With the first TBI diagnosis, 85% had been categorized as mild while the rest were characterized as a skull fracture or severe. 4.5% of the persons who were 50 years and above developed dementia from 1999 to 2013.
From this group, 5.3% had experienced at least one TBI when the scientists were conducting their observations.
The average age at first dementia diagnosis was recorded as 80.7 years. The findings of this research were published in The Lancet Psychiatry on 10th April.
Dementia risk is higher in those with TBI history
The experts in the study concluded that the overall dementia risk in people with a history of TBI was 24% higher than those who did not have a history of traumatic brain injury.
They reached this conclusion after accounting for other risk factors of the neurodegenerative disease.
Severe traumatic brain injuries accounted for an increased risk of 35% while mild TBI increased the risk by 17%.
Men also have a slightly higher increased risk of dementia development when compared to women with traumatic brain injury histories at 30% versus 19%.
Jesse Fann the lead author of the study and a professor of behavioral sciences and psychiatry at the University of Washington School of medicine said that the relationship between the risk of dementia and the number of brain injuries was very clear according to the research.
Men are more likely to develop dementia after TBI
The study also indicated that the risk of dementia also increased based on the number of traumatic brain injuries.
Five or more TBIs increased the risk by 183%, four TBIs increased dementia risk by 51%, while the risk increased by 33% for two or three TBIs.
Fann also explained that if someone had a brain injury in their 20’s chances of developing dementia increased by 60% in their 50s.
The researchers nonetheless clarified that the findings of the study do not suggest that everyone who sustains traumatic brain injury will end up developing dementia in his or her later years.
Fann hoped that the findings will help people with histories of TBI to change their behaviors towards other dementia risk factors.
He also suggested that people who have suffered traumatic brain injury need to get an evaluation from medical doctors to get immediate treatment for any persisting issues.
Fann stated that some cognitive rehabilitation strategies might help decrease cognitive deficits that relate to brain injury.
Not everyone with traumatic brain injury will develop dementia
Co-author Jakob Christensen an associate professor of neurology at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark stated that severe traumatic brain injury is more prevalent in young people.
He went ahead to explain that there is a concern that this also increases the risk of developing dementia in younger people.
Fann warned children and parents to be aware of the risks of traumatic brain injury that contact sports present.
The authors of the study recommended heightened efforts to prevent TBIs, especially for the younger generation.
They said that strategies need to be put in place to ameliorate the impact and risk of dementia relating to traumatic brain injury.
Conclusion
Many studies looking into the relationship between increased risk of dementia and traumatic brain injury are targeting participants of contact sports such as hockey, football, boxing, and soccer as well as military veterans.
These are people who end up experiencing traumatic brain injuries in their line of work.
The researchers acknowledged that more research is still needed to find out who is at the greatest risk of developing dementia as well as other factors that contribute to this risk.
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.
When looking into new treatments for persons with dementia, bright light therapy and dementia is one of the topics currently getting a lot of attention.
Standford Health Care explains that bright light therapy is one of the treatments used to manage circadian rhythm disorders.
What is Light Therapy for Dementia?
Originally, it was intended for persons who were suffering from SAD (seasonal affective disorder).
According to Sleep Education, the human body has an internal clock that signals it when it is time to be awake, and when it’s time to sleep.
We find the clock in the SCN, an area of brain above the section where nerves travel to the eyes.
This clock is responsible for controlling a person’s “circadian rhythm.” The rhythms include the daily cycle of numerous hormones, alertness, and temperature.
“Circadian” implies to occur in a 24-hour cycle.
Circadian rhythm sleep disorder is common with dementia
We should mention that circadian rhythms make a person alert or sleepy at regular times daily.
Dementia refers to a group of progressive neurological symptoms and conditions that are characterized by an ongoing decline in a person’s cognitive abilities including thinking, memory, behavior, and communication.
It usually ends up affecting a person’s abilities to participate in daily living activities.
This implies that they can benefit from light therapy that can help shift sleeping patterns into what is considered normal.
Check out some of the benefits of bright light therapy for persons with dementia below.
Benefits of Bright Light Therapy
In regards to bright light therapy and dementia, experts state that light therapy can help individuals with dementia.
Most people with dementia may experience sleep issues at some point in the illness.
This is because dementia can destroy the area of the brain that is responsible for the wake-sleep cycle.
A well-conducted but small study revealed promising effects on disturbed sleep as well as restlessness for individuals with dementia.
Another study showed that bright light therapy administered in the morning can help treat sleep disorders in persons with dementia.
According to this study, this is the time the therapy entertains circadian rhythm to reduce interference with the sleep-wake cycle.
Yet another research measuring the combination of walking and bright light therapy reported significant improvements in sleeping habits when bright light therapy and walking were practiced every day.
Combination of melatonin and dementia
Some researchers also looking into bright light therapy and dementia also studied the combination of the use of melatonin with bright light therapy.
The experts observed that all the participants who had dementia experienced better sleep cycles after exposure to bright light therapy.
Interestingly, the results were not similar after combining melatonin and bright light therapy.
A larger, well-conducted research review reported that bright light therapy can help reduce sleeping during the daytime and increase night-time sleeping.
Multiple other studies also showed that bright light therapy can be used to normalize the wake-sleep pattern.
Additionally, light therapy also has the potential to treat aggressive behavior in persons with dementia.
Some studies also state that bright light therapy can help reduce depression in people who have dementia.
Note that depression is one of the most common symptoms of dementia.
Other perks that persons with dementia can get from bright light therapy include:
Reduced Wandering
Some research indicates that bright light therapy in addition to enhancing the sleep-wake cycle also helps to reduce wandering for people with dementia at night.
Enhanced Cognition
Bright light therapy has also been associated with better scores on the Mini-Mental State Exam. This is one of the most common tests for measuring cognitive abilities.
Persons with vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were subjected to bright light therapy and they ended up demonstrating improved scores on their cognitive abilities tests.
This was in comparison to no changes in the scores when the same group was exposed to dim light therapy.
A similar study reported better cognitive functioning after exposure to bright light therapy. However, this was for people with early-stage AD as opposed to those with middle or late-stage Alzheimer’s.
Improved Behavioral Functioning
One study reported participants with dementia showcased improvement in various challenging behaviors.
However, another study compared levels of agitation of individuals with dementia after exposure to light therapy and stated that there was no difference.
How is Bright Light Therapy Administered?
When it comes to bright light therapy and dementia, the person with the illness sits in front of a lightbox that offers around 5-30 times more light than what the average office light emits. In most cases, the lightbox will emit about 10,000 lux of light.
This happens for a set time daily.
Keep in mind that it is important to consult a physician before starting light therapy. This is because there are a few cases where the therapy may not be appropriate.
Incorporating Light Therapy into the Routine of a Person with Dementia
There are times when it may not be easy to incorporate light therapy into the routine of a person with dementia.
Below are a few case scenarios you may be presented with, in regards to using bright light therapy and dementia and how you can solve them.
When a person becomes agitated in front of the lightbox, you may want to use verbal reassurance. If this does not work end the session and gradually introduce it until they become used to it.
Sometimes, an individual with this progressive illness does not want to sit in front of the light. In this instance, you can try focusing their attention on you. Start a pleasant conversation and hold their hands so that they can feel comfortable during the session.
When a person is easily distracted try and schedule the therapy when they are having breakfast. This will help speed up the process of becoming part of their routine.
Closing Remarks
Although some studies confirm that bright light therapy is beneficial to some people with dementia more studies focusing on bright light therapy and dementia still need to be conducted.
This will help to offer more conclusive results so that medics, caregivers, and persons with the illness can know how light therapy will benefit them.
A comprehensive answer to the frequently asked question, Why do dementia patients eat so much, is here, written by a doctor and nutritionist.
The differences in appetite between dementia patients vary. Some eat too little, yet others overeat. Some dementia patients may consume too much food in one sitting or eat too many meals in a day.
What Causes A Dementia Patient To Eat More? – Four Possible Factors
Globally the dementia statistics continue to rise. A predicted 75 million people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease by 2030.
One in three elderly people dies from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia in the US alone.
Dementia affects each aspect of living and poses hurdles that are rather unusual and challenging. Research indicates three of the main reasons dementia patients eat so much include:
1: Diminishing Taste Buds
As people age, their taste buds diminish. As their disease worsens and their taste buds weaken, the insulin levels in their brains can decrease.
Some dementia patients, therefore, experience intense cravings for foods containing high calories. They may prefer heavy or flavor-filled foods such as sugary sweets.
2: Changing Appetite
Also, dementia patients’ appetites change which results in craving unhealthy foods. If a patient overeats, they may eat inappropriate foods. They may even try to consume things that aren’t food, such as a napkin or bar of soap.
This is because they might not recognize the item or understand its use, and therefore they confuse it for food.
3: Forgetting Recent Meals
Due to their declining memory, dementia patients may forget that they’ve recently eaten.
They may frequently ask or search for food. Also, they may be concerned about when their next meal will be. This leads them to eat more.
4: Changes in Mood Might Affect Food and Eating Preferences
It is not uncommon for people with dementia to suffer from co-existing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
One way they find comfort is by eating more or indulging in foods that give them a sense of comfort, which are often sweet and over-indulging (2).
How to Help a Dementia Patient Eat Less?
It can become problematic if a dementia patient eats too much.
It’s important to ensure they’re consuming nutritious food to stay healthy and avoid becoming overweight.
Some patients may refuse help when eating, and they also might not be able to adequately express this.
It’s better not to pressurize a dementia patient to eat or drink when they’re anxious.
Some ways to cater to changing eating habits in dementia patients are as follows:
1. Accept unusual food combinations: Strange mixing of food isn’t likely to cause patient harm, especially if the food is healthy and in appropriate portions. It’s better to acknowledge rather than challenge this.
2. Satisfy sweet cravings for healthier alternatives: If a patient likes sweet foods, try incorporating fruit or naturally sweet vegetables such as carrots or sweet potato into their meals.
How to monitor what patients with dementia eat?
Solutions to monitoring what a dementia patient eats include:
Cutting food into bite-sized pieces: This assists the patient and makes eating easier, especially if they aren’t able to use utensils by themselves.
Eating in company: By enjoying a meal together with a loved one, a patient is more likely to eat the healthy meal you’ve served them.
Fortifying the prefrontal cortex: This controls a patient’s dietary self-restraint. Help by ensuring they avoid alcoholic beverages, sleep sufficiently, and exercise if they’re able to.
Including plenty of protein: As far as possible, incorporate eggs, milk-based pudding, or protein powder in the patient’s meal.
Puréeing their vegetables: Patients are more likely to consume softer vegetables.
If a dementia patient is overeating and you’d like to help them to eat less, try the following approaches:
Generously serve salad and vegetables: Carbohydrates and starch should take up less than half of a plate.
Halve the original portion: Start by halving the patient’s original portion. Only offer them the second half should the patient request more food.
Keep them occupied: A patient will feel less bored or lonely if they have something to do and keep busy.
Offer healthy snacks: Make bite-sized cut pieces of fruit or other healthy nibbles easily accessible.
Replace a second helping with a drink: Rather than offering the patient more food, give them a “treat” drink such as hot chocolate or a milkshake.
Meals should contain fruit, lean protein foods, low-fat dairy products, vegetables, and whole grains.
It is recommended to serve small portions of high saturated fat and cholesterol in a meal.
While some fats are healthy, it’s best to use butter, fatty meat cutes, lard, and solid shortening sparingly.
Also, high-sodium foods should be restricted. Replace salt with herbs or spices instead to flavor meals.
To reduce refined sugars, avoid serving processed foods. Baked goods made with fruit or sweetened with fruit juice are better alternatives.
Honey is also an optional sweetener.
Conclusion
Although some dementia patients tend to overeat, it is possible to better monitor what they consume and how often they do so.
If a patient has a particularly strong preference for foods that aren’t healthy which leads to insufficient consumption of other food groups, it is advised to consult with a dietitian.
Professional assistance with an eating plan will ensure good health with nutritious food and avoid excess weight gain.
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References:
1. Kyoko Kai, et al. Relationship between Eating Disturbance and Dementia Severity in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. PLoS One. 2015; 10(8): e0133666.
2. Chia-Chi Chang, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with food intake difficulties among residents with dementia. PLoS One. 2017; 12(2): e0171770.
Now, to be clear, viewing nature will not cure dementia. There are still no cures for most causes of dementia. But is there evidence that viewing nature improves dementia?
But what improves dementia’s symptoms improves dementia.
Science has proven time and again that viewing images of nature improves many factors that worsen dementia’s distressing symptoms.
The Importance of Getting Outside, Nature & Dementia
These types of excess disabilities make it harder for people with dementia to function at their best. They can increase confusion, agitation, restlessness and impact sleep.
Unfortunately, when any one of these things falls out of balance it will often disrupt the others as well.
For example, if someone feels anxious it can impact their sleep.
When sleep is disturbed, fatigue increases.
As fatigue increases, the ability to think, function and process information decreases.
This can easily lead to an increase in anxiety, agitated behavior and/or restlessness.
Restlessness can contribute to falls, injuries and pain.
Pain can lead to more restlessness, sleep disturbance, medication, anxiety and greater fall risk.
Medication can lead to constipation which can lead to increased restlessness, sleep disturbance, agitation, anxiety and appetite loss.
Appetite loss can lead to weight loss, weakness, decreased functioning and falls.
Symptoms can quickly spiral out of control and it can be hard to untangle the causes from the effects.
To the extent possible, a key goal in dementia care is to reduce “causes” and minimize effects.
So, when science shows us that viewing plants and scenes of nature can alleviate pain, anxiety, depression and stress we can see how this will effectively improve the symptoms of dementia – although more accurately we’re reducing excess disabilities that worsen dementia’s symptoms thereby allowing the person to function closer to their true baseline capability.
Hospitals are great places to study pain, stress and anxiety
Hospital patients, with their detailed records and controlled experience, are great fodder for study.
Hospital stays and procedures are known to be stressful, and contribute to anxiety. This makes them a great way to study the effects of plants on health outcomes, and there is no shortage of such studies.
View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery
One of the most cited studies occurred in1984 when Roger Ulrich examined whether the view through the window made a difference to the recovery of post-surgical patients.
Some rooms in the hospital overlooked a grove of trees, while others overlooked a brick wall. The rooms were nearly identical other than the view.
Patients went through the same gallbladder surgery and were matched on multiple factors, including age, gender, and health status.
The findings showed a statistically significant difference in:
1. The frequency and strength of pain medication required
The tree-view group required significantly less, and less potent, pain medication than the control group.
2. Length of hospital stay
The tree-view group was able to leave the hospital an average of a full day earlier than the brick wall-view group.
3. Fewer “negative” experiences
Nurse notes were reviewed for all patients. The group with the brick wall-view had over 3 times as many negative notes (such as “upset and crying” or “needs much encouragement” than the tree-view group who had more positive notes (like “In good spirits” and “moving well”).
Since 1984, thousands of studies have built on and expanded Dr. Ulrich’s research into an enormous body of research.
Although it wouldn’t be possible to cover them all here, we can take a closer look at a sampling of key studies.
Measuring the Benefits of Indoor Plants and Flowers
Live plants enhance health outcomes of patients recovering from surgery
In 2009, this study showed that post-surgical patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers had a significantly improved physiological recovery response and felt better about their rooms and the hospital staff caring for them.
90 patients recovering from the same hemorrhoid surgery were randomly assigned to similar rooms either with or without live plants.
Researchers measured patients’ vital signs, length of hospital stay, pain medication used, ratings of pain intensity, distress, anxiety and fatigue.
They found that patients in rooms with live plants showed significantly lower systolic blood pressure, and less pain, stress, anxiety and fatigue than the control group.
They also rated their room satisfaction higher and reported more positive impressions of the hospital care staff.
Live plants enhance recovery and mood; reduce pain, anxiety and fatigue
This study in 2016 shows multiple benefits of live plants to post-surgical patients’ mood and recovery.
Patients in rooms with plants reported less pain, anxiety and fatigue than those in the control group.
They also were noted to have increased mood, social activity, friendly behavior towards others, and positive feelings in general.
They described their rooms to be more calming, soothing and satisfying than the control group.
There are hundreds of more studies showing similar effects of plants and flowers on health, stress, anxiety, pain and mood.
A number of studies examine the effect of simply viewing fresh-cut flowers or live plants in a room.
Viewing fresh flowers invokes relaxation and improves mood
Researchers in 2014 confirmed physiological and psychological relaxing effects of cut fresh roses in a room.
In another study in 2017 researchers measured a significant relaxation response after participants viewed fresh roses for three minutes. The control group viewed no stimulus.
The physiological and psychological relaxation response was determined by measuring participants’ oxyhemoglobin levels, heart rate and heart rate variability.
A mood profile and semantic differential were also used, which showed a significant elevation in mood and an increase in feeling ‘natural’, ‘comfortable’ and ‘relaxed ’.
And, in case you had any doubt: receiving flowers is actually scientifically proven to enhance mood! It also enhances both social behavior and memory.
Receiving flowers improves mood, social behavior and memory
A series of studies in 2005, showed that people benefit in multiple ways from receiving flowers. People were presented with either flowers or a non-flower gift such as pens, candles or fruit.
The control gifts all had the same economic value, a pleasant odor, similar color variation and were wrapped similarly for presentation.
The results showed that that both women and men, young and old, showed improved mood, positive social behaviors and episodic memory after receiving flowers.
The social behaviors that were measured included initiation of conversations, eye contact, and standing at a more familiar social proximity. Non-flower gifts elicited less or no improvement in these areas.
These improvements were measured both immediately and weeks later, demonstrating a lasting effect on mood, social behavior and memory.
Live plants induce relaxation
In 2016, researchers studied men performing the same task – transferring pots for three minutes – with and without plants present. When live plants were present, the participants relaxed.
This was determined by significant differences in key physiological and psychological measurements, such as prefrontal cortex activity, heart rate variability and mood profile.
Images of Nature on Screens are also Effective
Viewing nature imagery on a screens induces relaxation and positive emotional response
In 2007, researchers found that individuals felt significantly less stressed, more friendly, playful and elated, and less fearful after viewing slide images of nature rather than urban scenes.
In 2018, researchers found significant evidence that viewing forest imagery induces physiological and psychological relaxation. Participants viewed images of either a forest landscape or a cityscape on a high definition television set.
After viewing forest imagery, participants’ oxyhemoglobin levels were decreased and they reported feeling much more “comfortable”, “relaxed” and “natural”.
Awe-inspiring images of nature can be especially potent
In 2014, researchers investigated whether there was any effect, or difference in effect, on people viewing mundane pictures of nature versus awe-inspiring scenes.
Images were shown on a computer screen and were grouped into three categories: awesome nature (such as grand mountain scenes or powerful storms), mundane nature (like grass, foliage or trees) and a control group (featuring objects like buckets, ladders or chairs).
Both types of nature images invoked significantly more feelings of being connected to others, feeling more caring and more spiritual than the control condition.
Both groups of nature images invoked an improved mood, more marked in the awesome images. The awesome images also lead to participants making more prosocial choices.
Photographs and Paintings of Nature can Reduce Stress and Improve Attention
Exposure to natural landscape art reduces anger and stress in males
A study in 2008 showed a significant reduction in anger and stress in males (but not females) when nature landscape art posters were displayed versus abstract art posters.
Participants were asked to perform frustrating tasks on a computer and then report their anger and stress levels.
In the natural landscape settings, the males in the experiment reported less stress and anger – the more natural landscapes were present, the less stress and anger was reported.
Viewing plants, or pictures of plants, reduces stress
In 2012, researchers found that people who viewed real plants and those who viewed images of plants experienced a reduction in stress as compared to the control group, which viewed none.
Viewing pictures of nature improves attention
In 2013, this study showed that viewing pictures of nature significantly improved executive attention in both older and younger adults, as opposed to pictures of urban scenes.
Viewing photos of natural scenery reduces impulsivity
The environment which included a prominent water feature was noted to be an especially powerful stress reliever.
Ceilings with sky images may support healthier dreaming and circadian rhythm
This 2014 study examined which differences in brain activity as measured by magnetic resonance imaging would be noted in hospital rooms with traditional ceilings and identical rooms which had sky images painted on the ceilings.
The rooms with sky compositions activated regions of the brain associated with spatial cognition, circadian rhythm, perceived motion and dreaming.
The plain-ceiling rooms activated regions related to facial processing and potential visual hallucinations.
Nature and Daylight Improves Mood and Reduces Stress
This 2018 study established positive effects of exposure to nature and daylight throughout everyday life on one’s mood and level of stress.
Viewing natural scenery promotes relaxation and enhances mood
In 2015, this study added to the body of evidence that seeing a natural forest landscape in person produced physiological and psychological relaxation and enhanced mood as compared to viewing an urban landscape.
Looking at a garden relieves stress and improves verbalization and memory in dementia
In 2018, researchers found that simply seeing a garden relieved physiological stress and improved verbalization and memory in people with advanced dementia.
The Conclusions are Clear: Viewing Images of Nature Improves Dementia
Study after study has added to the body of evidence: seeing plants or images of nature offers substantial benefits to people with dementia.
Whether it’s a photograph, a television program, a view through a window or seeing it live and in person, viewing nature is an effective way to enhance the quality of life for people with dementia.
It can reduce pain, anxiety and stress, promote relaxation, improve mood and enhance mental functioning in many ways.
Adding live plants or images of nature into the environment for someone with dementia is an effective, and low-cost way to help them function at their best.
With the progression of dementia, taste buds weaken, making patients develop strange food cravings, even for extremely spicy foods. But is dementia and spicy foods linked increasing dementia risk?
Are Dementia And Spicy Foods Linked?
The prevalence of dementia is on the rise and numbers are expected to double every 20 years.
It appears when your brain suffers from neurological problems leading to loss of memory and poor judgment.
The decline in memory deteriorates the quality of life in the elderly and, in the long term, reduces cognitive function.
The effects of dementia, and problems happening concurrently with it, are extensive. Moreover, they do not affect the brain only.
Scientists have observed significant alterations in dietary behaviors of people suffering from dementia.
Dementia leads to various metabolic and psychological changes in the body. These, coupled with the weakened taste buds, change dietary preferences.
During a research study conducted by the Medical research council, the caregivers of dementia sufferers pointed out a preference for foods that are strong and savory in flavor.
Some of the eating patterns in people with dementia are:
The unusual food cravings vary from person to person. Some people crave sweet foods while others incline towards spicy or salty foods.
The reason why the elderly with dementia crave spicy foods are as follows:
1. Dementia Weakens The Taste Buds
The craving is due to the disappearance of taste buds with the progression of the disease.
Humans can identify salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami taste.
However, dementia sufferers lose this ability with time. Dementia makes them unable to identify a particular taste as well as differentiate between two different flavors.
This is due to the loss of nerve endings in the tongue.
Since dementia appears with morbid brain conditions, it diminishes the neurological sense responsible for taste.
The elderly cannot feel the tanginess of food so, they ask for a stronger flavor. The same is true for salty foods.
2. Capsaicin Releases Endorphins
Ever wonder why spicy food burns tongue? It is due to the active ingredient present in chili, called capsaicin.
Capsaicin instigates pain receptors in the mouth and tongue, causing a burning sensation.
Due to the activation of these receptors, the brain translates it as a painful experience and floods the body with endorphins.
These are responsible for elevating mood and reducing the painful sensation.
Additionally, dopamine is released which is involved in the reward system of the brain. The result is a euphoric state called “runner’s high”.
Since such neurotransmitters are low in quantity in dementia patients, the body creates a compensatory mechanism.
It generates cravings for foods that cause endorphins to rush.
Is There Any Cultural Relation To Cravings of Spicy Foods?
Food choices vary immensely throughout the world.
This is also true for the condiments used to prepare local cuisine.
Predictably, the taste buds of natives of each region are adapted to the flavors of their local food seasonings.
Asians consume far more chili and spicy herbs in their meals as compared to westerns.
Therefore, experts think dementia sufferers from the Asian region are more likely to indulge in binge-eating spicy foods.
In such regions, the population develops a habit of using strong spices.
So, they misunderstand their lack of sense of taste in dementia as a bland and flavorless meal.
This results in an excessive intake of chili among the old age population.
Although it is more prominent in areas where spicy cuisine is widespread, westerns are also prone to such cravings.
Their chili usage is minimal but hot sauces and other herbs are still popular in Caucasians and western ethnicities. The proportion may be far lesser but they often enjoy pickles and jalapenos.
A study done in the UK showed that 15% of participants reported a likeness for spicy foods frequently after the onset of dementia.
Do Spicy Foods Increase The Incidence Of Dementia?
High spicy food intake may not be as harmful as excessive use of sweets, but it has a deeper relationship with the cause.
In Asia, chili is the most frequently used spice. In some regions of China, one in every three adults consumes chili daily.
It has many beneficial impacts on obesity and hypertension due to the presence of capsaicin in it. But there is more to the story.
Considering these properties, capsaicin should reduce the oxidative burden of the brain and enhance cognitive function but evidence proves the opposite.
Those with normal or low BMI are more prone to dementia due to chili
Apart from these, spicy foods can upset the stomach and lead to long-term gastrointestinal problems.
Considering these findings, it is essential to cut back spicy food consumption in seniors in order to slow the progression of dementia.
How to Manage Spicy Food Cravings in Dementia?
1. Salty foods can replace spicy foods but they should be used with care as they increase the risk of hypertension in the elderly.
2. The senses of smell and taste are intertwined. So, preparing food with seasoning that can create a delicious aroma helps in managing cravings of spicy food without actually having a spicy meal.
3. Spices, other than chili, and herbs should be incorporated to increase the flavor of the meal.
4. Some naturally occurring spicy foods like jalapenos and pickles used as a seasoning.
Conclusion
The sense of taste diminishes and endorphin production reduces with the progression of dementia.
To overcome these troubles, the elderly often crave spicy foods. They can cause an upset stomach and even worsen dementia with time.
The decline in memory function due to chili is higher in the underweight population. To reduce this possibility, chili should be replaced with better spices and herbs.
Salty meals can be used in a controlled amount but some naturally occurring spicy products like jalapenos and pickles are better substitutes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
