Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Dementia
Dementia is characterized by emotional, mental, and physical deterioration caused by damage to the brain. Symptoms of dementia can develop suddenly or slowly over a long period of time, and the risk of dementia increases as you get older.
The symptoms of dementia include:
- Difficulty concentrating and planning things
- Memory loss and confusion
- Short attention span
- Lack of motivation
- Depression
- Personality, mood and behavioral changes
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Incontinence
- Muscle weakness, stiffness, or paralysis
- Slow and unsteady movements
- Trembling in arms and legs
- Sleeping difficulties
- Aggression and frustration
Being physically and mentally active helps to prevent dementia in late life. There are other factors to consider regarding your general health and well-being. Pay attention to the following:
• Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Limit foods that are high in saturated fat.
• Reduce your salt intake to no more than two-thirds of a teaspoon per day
• Don’t drink alcohol excessively. Men should have no more than two drinks a day, and women no more than one.
• Maintain a healthy body weight, obesity can cause high blood pressure.
• Get regular exercise to maintain good circulation.
• Avoid smoking.
If you are diagnosed with dementia a health care plan will be drawn up. The following natural remedies are also very helpful to relieve the symptoms of dementia:
• Add a few drops of calming lavender essential oil to a vaporizer to relieve stress, agitation, and depression.
• Take 60 milligrams of ginkgo biloba twice daily to support the central nervous system, increase blood circulation to the brain, and improve memory.
• Music therapy– despite the deterioration of mental function associated with dementia, people with the condition are often able to enjoy music. This therapy can reduce agitation and improve mood, thus enhancing quality of life.
SOURCE: 1000 home remedies, safe and sensible treatments for everyday aliments, Anova Books, 2011
[Last Updated on July 1st 2014]
