10 activities that can lead to memory loss and dementia in old age

Few people care about their mind’s health, which isn’t good because the sobriety of the mind and how you will perceive the world in old age depend on it. If you think that the risk of memory loss or dementia is not about you, and at your 100 years old, you will think the same way as at 20, then you are wrong. If you take the steps listed below and do not correct your lifestyle, you risk one fine day, in old age, to wake up as an insane grandfather.

Lack of sleep

During sleep, contrary to delusion, the body does not fall into a state similar to suspended animation but, on the contrary, puts all its strength into recovery and consolidation of the experience gained. During this time, connections between neurons are strengthened, which allows you to remember information better.

But when there is not enough sleep, violations of the connections being built begin to appear, and the existing ones are destroyed. It becomes more difficult for you to form thoughts, remember, and memorize information.

If you want to keep your mind clear, sleep 6 to 8 hours a day, depending on your body’s needs. At the same time, the quality of sleep depends on your sleeping place, which should be equipped with a comfortable bed with an orthopedic mattress and pillow. The windows are tightly curtained not to disrupt the production of melatonin.

The use of sleeping pills and tranquilizers

Due to the stress of city life, many people are forced to take sleeping pills and tranquilizers to calm down and fall asleep. They can impair your concentration and, if taken without a doctor’s prescription, can lead to serious circadian rhythm disturbances.

Blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and antidepressants can also affect memory impairment. If you have problems with memory and concentration, it is worth contacting your doctor to prescribe new medications since ignoring this can lead to neuronal damage.

Sugar abuse in diabetes

If you have diabetes, you must follow all the doctor’s orders, regardless of your urges. According to statistics, people with diabetes are more likely than healthy people to have memory problems, including dementia. It is believed that high blood sugar may be to blame, which damages the capillaries in the brain, impairing its function. Therefore, it is worth regulating the sugar level and not allowing it to be exceeded.

Lack of physical activity

We have said more than once that a sedentary lifestyle is the main enemy of modern humankind. Because of this, the entire body suffers, including the brain, which receives less oxygen than it needs, especially with active mental activity. To prevent memory problems, it is worth incorporating sports or at least regular exercise into your lifestyle.

Ignoring frequent headaches

If you suffer from headaches and clouding consciousness and have never had an MRI of the brain, now is the time. Perhaps the whole point is in a micro stroke – a violation of oxygen supply to the brain, which may not even be noticed.

Damage to the brain tissue makes it harder to think, speak, and remember, and attention becomes distracted. This is called vascular dementia. In the absence of help, this can lead to dementia. To reduce the risk of developing a micro stroke, you need to monitor blood pressure, play sports, eat right and give up bad habits.

Abuse of bad habits

Again, as with a sedentary lifestyle, regular drinking and smoking can lead to various impairments, including memory impairment. Alcohol, like smoking, increases the risk of developing dementia as it disrupts blood vessels and increases the risk of stroke.

Lack of pressure control

As you can see from the points above, we paid a lot of attention to high blood pressure. This is one of the main factors that negatively affect mental clarity. If you have hypertension, you need to pay special attention to tracking your blood pressure and reducing it to normal values in time with the help of drugs, diet, and exercise. And you don’t need to think that the signs of high blood pressure are obvious because this is a delusion that can cost you your life.

Depressive state

We understand that it is easy to say and difficult to do, but think more positively. The researchers note that people prone to depression have an increased risk of developing dementia in old age, but they are not sure why this happens. Therefore, if you have depressive thoughts, consult with a psychologist and surround yourself with more positive things.

Overeating

Doctors believe that overweight people have a higher risk of developing dementia in old age. The thing is that excess weight leads to an increased load on the cardiovascular system and to diseases associated with it, which is the reason for a deterioration in the brain’s supply with blood and a decrease in its activity.

Already to think soberly, it is worth stopping overeating and starting to engage in your figure, casting aside the false thoughts of body-positive adherents that being overweight is the same norm as a slender figure.

Unreasonable approach to the formation of the diet

Proper diet, as well as exercise, are key factors in leading a healthy life. Eating foods rich in trans fats and other harmful components can lead to cardiovascular disease and a lack of blood supply to the brain. Experts believe a Mediterranean diet of whole grains, fruits, nuts, fish, olive oil, and other foods rich in healthy fats is best for brain health.