SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTHY LIVING
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 otherwise avoided.
Dementia is one of the most common categories of brain diseases. A
common misconception is that dementia is actually 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 of dementia
are progressive and get worse over time. If caught early by a healthcare
professional, some symptoms can be treated. One of the most common
types of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
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, as 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.
u 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.
u Sleep Tight – Have you ever stayed up late, only to find you’re
forgetful and mentally lethargic the next d