HEALTH & WELLNESS SPECIAL SECTION
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 .
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 .
Eye Health
It is important to visit your eye care professional once a year for a comprehensive eye exam . Although you may think you are seeing fine , issues may be lurking without any warning signs . During a yearly visit , your pupils will be dilated , or widened , so that your eye care professional can examine the back of the eye for damage or disease . It is important to know your family ’ s eye health history as well , since some conditions are hereditary .
Some of the most common eye diseases include diabetic retinopathy , glaucoma , cataracts , and age-related macular degeneration ( AMD ).
• Diabetic Retinopathy : This type 1 or type 2 diabetes complication is caused by damage to blood vessels in the retina , the light-sensitive tissues in the back of the eye . If left untreated , diabetic retinopathy could cause blindness . Early stages of this condition may go unnoticed if an
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WEST JEFFERSON HILLS ❘ WINTER 2021 21