INFINITY Information Bureau News Useful tips for preventing dementia! What are the surprising factors that a psychiatrist talks about? Check it out now to protect your brain health! #Dementia prevention #Brain health #Psychiatrist
Video explanation
What, this one too? A psychiatrist talks about 4 surprising things that affect dementia
Hello, I'm John! I'm here to explain your questions about money and health in an easy-to-understand way.
Well, this time we're talking about "dementia." It's a topic that many people become concerned about as they get older. Some of you may be wondering, "Am I safe?" or "Is there anything I can do to prevent it?"
When you hear the word "dementia," you might think it sounds like a very difficult disease, but in fact, there are "unexpected things" in our daily lives that may be related to the risk of developing dementia in the future. Today, let's take a look at some of these surprising factors pointed out by a psychiatrist!
First of all, what is "dementia"?
First, let's briefly review what dementia is.A condition in which the brain's functions gradually weaken, causing a decline in memory (the ability to remember things) and judgment (the ability to correctly assess things), resulting in problems in daily life.Examples include finding yourself asking yourself "What was I doing just now?" more often, or getting lost on familiar routes.
However, if you notice it early and take measures, you can hope to slow down the progression and even alleviate the symptoms.
Psychiatrists pay attention! 4 "unexpected things" that may affect dementia
So what specifically is related to dementia? Here are four points that a psychiatrist points out as being surprisingly little known.
1. "Hey, I think I've been having trouble hearing lately." -- Hearing loss
You may think that hearing and brain health are not closely related, but hearing loss is actually said to be one of the major risk factors for dementia.
But why…
- Less stimulation to the brain:When the amount of sound information coming into the ears decreases, brain activity tends to decrease. The brain is like a muscle; if you don't use it, it will weaken.
- Less communication:When you have difficulty hearing, you may feel reluctant to talk to others or may be reluctant to do so for fear of mishearing, which can result in fewer social connections and even less stimulation to the brain.
- Extra brain fatigue:It is possible that trying so hard to understand difficult-to-hear sounds can leave energy insufficient for other parts of the brain (such as memory and thinking).
If you feel like the TV is too loud recently or that you are having trouble hearing conversations, we recommend that you consult a specialist.
2. "I like being alone, but..." -- Social isolation
Some people like to spend quiet time alone, but there are also people who have very little interaction with others.Social isolationIt has also been pointed out that feelings of loneliness, or the subjective feeling of being lonely, may also increase the risk of dementia.
this is,
- Lack of brain stimulation:Conversations and interactions with people are very stimulating for the brain. This is because the brain is used a lot by exposing itself to new information, expressing one's own thoughts, and reading the other person's reactions. Isolation reduces this kind of stimulation.
- Depression:Feelings of loneliness can easily lead to low mood and depression, which are also said to be associated with the risk of dementia.
You don't have to force yourself to hang out with a lot of people, but taking the time to chat casually with family, friends, or people in your community is important for your brain health.
3. "I'm always being chased by something" - chronic stress
Modern society is full of stress. Many people may have endless worries about work, relationships, the future, and more. Short-term stress is not necessarily a bad thing, butLong-term stress (chronic stress)can affect the brain as well as the mind.
When you feel stressed, your body produces a lot of a stress hormone called "cortisol." If high levels of cortisol continue for a long period of time, it is said that the part of the brain that controls memory, called the "hippocampus," can shrink.
The hippocampus is a very important area for learning new things and organizing memories.To put it in perspective, it's like the "information sorting center" of the brain.If this area is damaged, it affects your memory.
It is important to find your own way of relieving stress and deal with it effectively.
4. "I'm not sleeping well" - Poor quality sleep
Don't underestimate the importance of sleep. Quality sleep is crucial for maintaining brain health.
While you sleep, your brain organizes the information of the day and cleans up unnecessary waste products. If you don't get enough time to clean your brain, it is thought that the protein "amyloid beta," which is thought to be one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease, is more likely to accumulate in the brain.
Sleep is the brain's "maintenance time"It can be said that giving your brain a proper rest and refreshing it every day will also help prevent dementia in the future.
Try to get a good quality sleep by avoiding using your smartphone before bed and improving your bedroom environment.
A small step you can take today
The four things we have introduced here can sometimes be improved by simply being a little more conscious in your daily life.
- Check your hearing:Get regular hearing tests.
- Cherish the connections:Join a hobby club, go to lunch with friends, and socialize as much as you can.
- Relieve stress effectively:Find a way to refresh yourself that works for you, whether that be going for a walk, listening to music, or meditating.
- Review your sleep environment:Keep your bedtime and wake-up time consistent to create a comfortable bedroom.
You don't have to try to do everything at once. Why not start by doing something that you think you can do, little by little?
John's words
Wow, I learned a lot from this topic. I was amazed to learn that hearing and human connections are so deeply connected to brain health. Small everyday efforts can help your future self. Why don't you start doing something "good for your brain" today?
This article is based on the following original articles and is summarized from the author's perspective:
I'm A Psychiatrist & These Surprising Factors Can
Impact Dementia