Want To Prevent Dementia? Ask These 12 Questions At Your Next Doctor’s Appointment.

Although you may be used to your doctor’s question about new moles or annoying coughs, you may not be used to talking to them about your social ties or anxiety.

It turns out, there is a set of topics that you must create with an initial care doctor (or your neurologist, if you have one), according to a recent report in the magazine neurology.

The report detailed 12 questions that patients should discuss with a doctor who can help protect the brain from cognitive decrease. And while he narrates some clearly Brain health Inquiries, also include factors that are most likely to be connected to your cognitive health, such as your social reactions and diet.

Here are the 12 questionsAccording to the magazine:

1. Sleeping: Can you get enough sleep to feel comfortable?

2. Impact, mood and mental health: Do you have concerns about your mood, anxiety or stress?

3. Food, diet and supplements: Do you have concerns about getting enough or healthy enough food, or have any questions about nutritional supplements or vitamins?

4. Exercise: Do you find ways to fit physical exercise in your life?

5. Supporting social interactions: Do you have a regular contact with close friends or family, and do you have enough support from people?

6. Avoid shocks: Do you wear seat belts and helmets, and use car seats for children?

7. blood pressure: Have you faced high blood pressure problems at home or in your doctor’s visits, or do you have any concerns about treating blood pressure or getting a blood pressure slap at home?

8. Risk, genetic factors and metabolism: Do you have a problem in controlling blood sugar or cholesterol? Is there a neurological disease working in your family?

9. The ability to bear costs and commitment: Do you have any problem with the cost of your drugs?

10. infection: Are you updated in vaccines, and do you have enough information about these vaccines?

11. Negative exposure: Do you smoke, drink more than one drink to two per day or use unwanted drugs? Do you drink water well or live in an area with a well -known air or water?

12. Social and structural determinants of health: Do you have concerns about maintaining housing, obtaining transportation, accessing medical care and insurance, or being physically or emotionally safe?

This study is supported by a Report from LancetAnother medical magazine, last year, as Dr. James EllisonPsychiatrist at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, indicated. This report found that 45 % of cognitive decline or dementia can be delayed or even prevented through simple lifestyle interventions.

“I would like to say that the nerve magazine keeps pace with the current trend in health care, which is an attempt to emphasize wellness and prevention and not just respond to the disease,” Elison said.

Dr. Tano GarpHouston Methodist Hospital, who treats stroke patients often, added that many families of their patients ask what they can do so that they do not end up in the same position as their loved ones – and that these lifestyles are the answer.

“For this reason, these questions are very important, because we are trying to prevent people from having difficulties in the future, whether it is a heart attack, Stroke Or only, in general, for brain health.

Although it is clear how some of the habits mentioned can affect your cognitive health (such as wearing a helmet, for example), other factors are slightly more accurate – but it is no less important than its management.

For example, socialization is a real indication of brain health. Ellison said: “We are social beings … There are changes in metabolic activity and brain activity that occurs when we are harmful isolated,” Elson said.

Ellison added that isolation comes with a unit, which can endanger you with a greater risk of cognitive decline and stroke. “It is very important to grow a social network,” he said.

GARG also pointed out that those who have family contacts and close friends can also get more support when recovering from health issues, which is also important for well -being.

Factors that seem to be related to heart health, such as blood pressure, are also important. “All that is good for the brain is actually good for the heart,” Elison said. “When the heart works properly, it provides nutrients and oxygen, which provides the brain and maintains it in good health, and helps remove toxic sides from the brain as well.”

“When the heart does not work properly, blood circulation, oxygen and metabolic care for the brain are at risk, and this can lead to cognitive changes,” Ellison continued. He added that one of the most common types of cognitive decline in the elderly is “weak vascular perception, which is a direct result of the rotation at risk in the brain.”

Gargi said that simple and small positive habits, such as diet and exercise, can often bring the largest health rewards. She recommends a Following a Mediterranean diet And I said that you should talk to your doctor about the best exercise system for you, because the person differs to a person. In addition, if you smoke, you should talk to your doctor about quitting smoking, to protect both your mind and general health.

It is also important to manage your feelings, and you can talk to your doctor about the best way to do this as well. “There are many different ways to reduce anxiety and tension, but people do not realize how much the effect can occur on your body and mind.” Research shows This anxiety is associated with higher rates of dementia.

Although it is not too late to think more comprehensively about the health of the brain, you should always pay attention to them – not only once you reach aging.

Elson said that these questions focus “on prevention throughout the life cycle, not only in the elderly.”

He added that the cognitive decrease is often associated with age, but problems during middle age, such as sleep disorders and uninterrupted blood pressure, can double your risk to cognitive retreat and dementia at a later time.

It is also important to talk to your doctor about any cognitive changes you notice, regardless of your age.

“If you go to see the doctor sooner and not later, we can find things that can be reversed to prevent further decline. But when you are afraid or not sure if this is the right thing to do, we may reach the point where you cannot fix things.” .

GARG always mentions its patients that it is okay to ask your doctor’s questions, whether you think they are “right” or not.

Ellison added that all cognitive changes are not related to major health issues as well. Stress, anxiety, some medications and some health conditions can cause cognitive problems, which makes it necessary to speak to the primary care provider.

Elson said your doctor can also help you integrate exercises, social communications, a nourishing diet and other healthy lifestyle habits in your life – because there is real evidence that these good habits work. Dementia In the elderly it decreases. Specifically, the rates of dementia have decreased by 13 % for each contract over the past 25 years, According to the 2020 study.

“The decrease in infection is attributed to population improvements in heart health, and a greater dependence on diet and exercise,” Elison said.

Although these habits may not look great, they can have a significant effect on the health of the brain while you are moving throughout life.