Strokes are linked to dementia, increases risk of the brain disease by 70%

People who have suffered a stroke are more likely to develop dementia, a study conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School confirmed. The study involved an analysis of 3.2 million people across the world. Researchers found that the link between stroke and dementia persisted even after taking into account other dementia risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. “We found that a history of stroke increases dementia risk by around 70%, and recent strokes more than doubled the risk. Given how common both stroke and dementia are, this strong…

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Are you on antidepressants? It is linked to higher risk of dementia

While anti-depressants can help mental health patients deal with depression, long-term use of certain anti-depressants could have serious side effects. A large study done by researchers from the University of East Anglia’s School of Health Science have linked use of antidepressants to dementia, though they could not definitively conclude that the drugs were the cause. Previous studies have shown that medications commonly prescribed to reduce depression and anxiety may increase the risk of death by preventing multiple organs from functioning properly, and increase risk of bone disease.And among patients suffering from high blood pressure, antidepressants…

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Cut down on drinks. Alcohol can raise chances of dementia

Turns out, alcohol consumption is one of the biggest risk factors for dementia. According to a new research conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, alcohol use disorders are the most important preventable risk factors for the onset of all types of dementia, especially early-onset dementia.A recent study also suggested that the number of drinks one had in a week could determine how long you will live. This study, conducted over one million adults diagnosed with dementia in France, looked specifically at the effect of alcohol use disorders and…

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Active social life, sleep well: Here are 8 things you can do to keep dementia away

To prevent the risk of dementia in old age, here are eight lifestyle changing tips that can help in the long run. Although, research has not yet discovered a cure for dementia, changes in diet, exercise and daily routine can reduce the risk factors, reports express.co.uk. Here’s a step by step guide to prevent dementia – which includes getting a good night’s rest. Sleep well Disrupted sleep patterns and insomnia have recently been suggested as risk factors for dementia. You may want to do regular exercise and eat healthy to…

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Love adding extra salt to your food? You may be putting yourself at risk of dementia

Love to eat crispy roasted nuts and potato wafers that are high in salt? Beware, besides harming your heart, it may also harm your brain and lead to dementia, researchers have warned. In mice, the high-salt diet reduced the resting cerebral blood flow by 28% in the cortex and 25% in the hippocampus – brain regions involved in learning and memory. This impairment in the blood flow to the brain was caused by a decrease in the production of nitric oxide – a gas generated by endothelial cells – the…

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Mushrooms May Prevent Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Mushroom, which one of the few natural sources of Vitamin D, is now being touted as a superfood fungi. Mushrooms are also know for their surprising immunity-boosting benefits and anti-cancer properties. A new study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, adds to the list of its benefits. Researchers from the University of Malaya in Malaysia have shown that regular consumption of mushrooms may enhance nerve growth in the brain  and thus, help in delaying the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. According to latest reports, it as been…

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