Smoking, drinking and artificial sweeteners quickly become habits that are difficult to break. We all know that these things aren't necessarily good for us, but what if they also affect our brain health, especially in our senior years?
Regardless of how your loved one starteddevelopment of memory problems, it is important to ensure that they are taken care of. Make sure they are in a senior community with onememory supportplan.
Memory loss and dementia
Dementia is defined as loss of cognitive function, thinking, memory and reasoning, to the point where it interferes with daily life and activities. Some dementia patients have no control over their emotions and their personality can change.
Dementia progresses from mild to severe, with the mildest stage mildly affecting a person's functioning and the most severe stage requiring the person to be completely dependent on others for basic daily activities.
The reasons forAlzheimerand related dementias vary depending on the type of brain changes that occur. Although research has shown that certain changes in the brain are associated with certain types of dementia, in most cases the underlying causes are unknown. Rare genetic mutations can lead to dementia in a small number of people.
Although there is no proven prevention,lead a healthy lifestylecan help reduce the risk factors associated with these diseases in general.
Does Vaping Cause Memory Loss?
Whether you're a teen or young adult, parent or senior, you've probably wondered: is vaping bad for you? While some of this data is still debated, recent findings show that vaping has negative side effects on a user's mental health.
If you're over 50 and vape, it's time to put down the e-cigarette. The dire warnings about vaping-related illnesses apply to you, too.
Nicotine use, even when it comes to vaping, is associated with aincreased riskof several neurological diseases, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Does alcohol cause memory loss?
A long period of heavy alcohol use can do thatcause brain damage. People who drink heavily for long periods of time are more likely to have reduced white matter volume in the brain, which helps with signal transmission between different brain areas. This can cause problems with the way the brain works.
Long-term heavy alcohol use can also lead to thiamine B1 deficiency and Korsakoff syndrome, a memory disorder that affects short-term memory.
Doctors have discovered several ways that alcohol affects the brain and memory. Binge drinkers and people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) can experience short- and long-term memory loss.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, it is critical to communicate openly with your doctor about alcohol consumption so they can determine if it is safe to consume alcohol. Only your doctor can give you accurate and specific advice about this.
But because alcohol consumption can worsen and...accelerate symptoms of dementiayour doctor may recommend that you reduce or avoid alcohol altogether, especially if you drink a lot or have been drinking for a long time.
Although most forms of dementia are irreversible and chronic, the symptoms of alcohol-related dementia can be stopped or reversed if one stops drinking and follows a healthy diet with vitamin supplements.
Korsakov's syndrome
Korsakoff's syndrome (also known as Korsakoff's amnesic syndrome) is a memory disorder caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 and associated with alcoholism. Korsakoff syndrome causes nerve and supporting cell damage in the brain and spinal cord, as well as memory-related brain cells. The symptoms include:
- Amnesia
- Tremoren
- Come
- Disorientation
- Vision problems
Korsakoff syndrome and associated thiamine deficiency are not the only ways that heavy drinking can contribute to chronic cognitive changes and decline. Alcohol abuse can also cause brain damage by:
- Direct toxicity of alcohol on brain cells.
- Repeated intoxication and withdrawal cause biological stress.
- Cerebrovascular disease caused by alcohol.
- Head injuries caused while drinking
Put in aspartameCause memory loss?
Aspartame is a popular sugar-free sweetener available in the United Statessince the early eighties. More than 6,000 products contain it, including Diet co*ke, Diet Pepsi, Crystal Light and Kool-Aid. It is also marketed under the brand names NutraSweet and Equal.
Aspartame's role in memory loss is a health problem linked to artificial sweeteners. Several studies have been conducted on the effect of aspartame on cognitive function in both animals and humans. There wasno scientific documentationof a link between aspartame and memory loss in these studies.
Do vaping, alcohol and aspartame cause memory loss?
Although vaping is marketed as a "healthier" alternative to cigarette smoking, it has been linked to cognitive problems such as Alzheimer's disease.
Heavy alcohol use, whether over one night or over several years, can cause memory loss. This may include difficulty remembering recent events or even an entire night. It can also cause permanent memory loss, known as dementia.
Aspartame is the only one to be licensed for the time being. To date, no studies have linked aspartame to memory loss or dementia.
If you are concerned about your loved one's memory problems during the transition to senior living,call us todayto discuss our memory care program.
