HEALTH & WELLNESS
SPECIAL SECTION
HEALTH for the
Whole Family
Advice to help your
family embrace a
healthier lifestyle.
Brain Games
As you age, your brain continually
changes. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is
important to your body and your mind.
Just like it is important to exercise daily
to keep your body in shape, it is equally
as important to exercise your brain.
Memory loss doesn’t occur simply due to
aging, but because of brain injury, illness
or disorders. Many of these issues are
due to unhealthy habits or poor lifestyle
choices that could be avoided.
Dementia is one of the most common
categories of brain diseases. A common
misconception is that dementia itself
is a disease, but it is not. Dementia is
a term that defines a decline in mental
ability severe enough to interfere
with daily life including impaired
memory, communication and language,
ability to focus, reasoning and judgment,
and visual perception. At least two of
the aforementioned symptoms must
be severely impaired to indicate signs
of dementia. Usually the signs and
symptoms are progressive and get worse
over time. If caught early by a health care
professional, some symptoms can be
treated. One of the most common types
of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
Pets Too!
Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80
percent of all dementia cases. It causes
severe problems with daily tasks that
involve memory, thinking and behavior.
It is not a normal part of aging, but the
greatest known risk factor is increasing
age since the disease is progressive. While
it is most common in people over the
age of 65, younger-onset Alzheimer’s is
found in five percent of people as young
as their 40s.
According to the Alzheimer’s
Association, evidence shows that
incorporating the following habits will
keep you fit both physically and mentally:
• Heart Health – Obesity, high blood
pressure and diabetes—all risk factors
for cardiovascular disease—negatively
impact your cognitive health.
Cardiovascular activity increases blood
flow to the brain and body, reducing
the risk of cognitive decline.
• Helmet Up! – Brain injury is one of
the leading causes of dementia and
cognitive decline. Play it smart and
always wear a helmet to protect from
brain injury.
• Sleep Tight – Have you ever stayed
up late, only to find you’re forgetful
and mentally lethargic the next day?
Not getting enough sleep can result in
lower brain function, affecting memory
and thinking.
• Be a Social Butterfly – Staying active
with friends and loved ones may
support brain health as well. A recent
study from the Women’s Healthy
Aging Project found that babysitting
grandchildren could lower the risk of
Alzheimer’s.
• Challenge Yourself – Enjoy crossword
puzzles or painting? Keep your brain
challenged by doing something new
each day, whether it is learning a new
language, doing a jigsaw puzzle or
reading a book!
Eye and Ear Health
Hearing and vision are two essential
parts of our everyday lives. Yet there are
many individuals who let ear and eye
problems go unattended. Ear and eye
health is equally as important as taking
care of the rest of the body and should be
well maintained to ensure many years of
seeing and hearing the things you love.
Continued on next page >
MCKEESPORT AREA
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WINTER 2018
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