A study recently published by the American Academy of Neurology concluded that people who experience chronic inflammation in their middle aged years are more likely to experience memory loss as they age. More than 12,000 individuals with an average age of 57 were followed for a period of about 20 years while this data was collected. The hope is that by pointing to the risks of inflammation, better preventative measures can be put into action earlier in life so that the detrimental impact that this can have on seniors will be minimized.
Inflammation can cause issues in other parts of the body, too. It can cause damage to internal organs and can lead to heart disease and a higher risk of stroke. Even if memory loss is not a concern, dealing with inflammation before it can have a negative impact on other aspects of life is a healthy direction. This study helps to highlight that in even greater detail.
The findings were published in the academic journal, Neurology.
No one wants an elderly loved one to live a poor quality of life. If simple things like reducing inflammation can help to avoid future issues, then this is something that we should be aware of, and not just for the sake of our loved ones. There are also things that we can do for ourselves to improve this area of our health so that when we are older the chances that we will encounter severe medical problems and have a need for senior care can be reduced.
There are many causes of chronic inflammation. Stress and poor diet can be some of the more prevalent reasons behind this. Autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, MS, and psoriasis can also lead to chronic inflammation. Some of these are treatable, while others can just be managed through changes in lifestyle and medication.
Common symptoms of chronic inflammation include stomach issues, joint pain, and constant fatigue. If you have a loved one who has been experiencing one or more of these things on a regular basis, it’s smart to get checked out by a doctor in order to help alleviate the problem now before it gets worse and leads to other health problems, including a higher likelihood of memory loss like this study indicated. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to help relieve inflammation. Better sleep habits, eating right, getting exercise, and other heart health practices can help to relieve many causes of inflammation right away. Other strategies may require medical assistance.
If you have a loved one who is dealing with memory loss or dementia, finding a caregiver that specializes in memory care is important. Those with Alzheimer’s disease or any other for of dementia have a unique set of needs when it comes to assistance and supervision. Ensuring that the right type of are is being administered for a loved one is almost as important as making sure that they are healthy. If you have questions about senior care, please feel free to get in touch with us to learn more.
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