Why do people lose their memory with age and how to avoid it

Everyone wants to live a life, even her final, of sound mind and clear memory. Here are some tips that will help you achieve this.

Mental disorders, including impaired memory, more than 50 million people suffering in the world. Scientists have not yet reliably know why memory worsens with age, but they do have a few suggestions on how to reduce this risk.

What types of memory loss, there

The main three: cognitive decline in the aging process, lungs cognitive impairment and dementia. In general they are similar, but there are important differences.

Cognitive decline in the aging process

Perfectly normal. With age, the human body's cells wear out, including neurons. So that the small memory problems in older people - it's natural.

Light cognitive impairment

It's a crossWhat Is Mild Cognitive Impairment? between cognitive decline and dementia. People suffering they forget many things, but can still function independently.

dementia

This is a syndrome in which a person losesdementia memory, cognitive abilities, and the ability to perform daily activities. People with dementia also experience vision problems, orientation in space, lose language skills.

At a later stage, they may forget family and friends, become aggressive for no apparent reason, they may appear paranoid and difficulty in walking. The most common form of dementia (60-70% of cases) - Alzheimer's disease.

Accurate data about where there is dementia, no. In the case of Alzheimer's disease amyloid and tau proteins accumulate in the brainWhat Happens to the Brain in Alzheimer's Disease? and woven into mats, preventing communication between neurons. Because of this behavior and thinking of the patients begin to change.

It is believed that the first damaged areas of the brain responsible for memory, and then everyone else. Gradually, the person loses the ability to care for themselves, talk and move, and in the end - to breathe and swallow.

Who is affected by dementia and memory loss

The main risk factor - age. approximately halfWhat Is Dementia? people older than 85 suffer from some form of dementia. Among other factors - the cases of dementia disorders in the family (the more there were, the more likely that you have it, too, will appear) and the presence of mental disorders like depression.

How to avoid memory impairment

Currently, there is no way to guarantee to resist the development of cognitive impairment. But can delay their appearance.

Maintain physical activity

showCan Increasing Physical Activity Prevent Alzheimer's Disease? study, exercise is not much help to preserve the memory, but improve other cognitive abilities, such as the ability to plan. They are useful in general - especially for the preservation of the ability to move.

To monitor the pressure

A recent studyEffect of Intensive vs Standard Blood Pressure Control on Probable Dementia more than 9000 people with hypertension have shown that lowering blood pressure to normal levels (120/80 mmHg) reduces the risk of lung cognitive decline more than 20%, and dementia - 16%. Also, scientists have found that pressure normalization greatly reduces the risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease.

Communicate with others

The most promising way to minimize the risk of dementia today - social interaction. In one study,Web-enabled conversational interactions as a method to improve cognitive functions the elderly, some of whom suffered from cognitive impairment lungs, every day for 30 minutes of video chat communicate with specially trained interviewers.

As a result, many of the subjects had improved cognitive abilities such as verbal fluency and speed of reaction. Showed improvement even suffering lungs cognitive impairment.

Social isolation increasesThe Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care: a call for action the risk of dementia by 2%. Scientists suggest that even periodic communication with relatives on video chat can reduce this impact.