Welcome to my site about tactics you can use to cope with hospitalization. I am Edward Collins. I created this site after a long hospitalization left me feeling uncomfortable and dying to go home. I was ill-prepared for the lengthy stay at that facility. Despite my nurses and doctors’ best efforts, I felt lonely, bored and somewhat isolated during my stay. On this site, I will help you prepare for hospitalization well before you need your next medical procedure. Please come by my site daily to learn the information you need to know. Thank you for visiting my website about preparing for hospitalization.
The process of aging and its effects upon the human body are largely feared and misunderstood. Most people, as they begin to notice signs of aging, focus on their outward appearance and attempt to seem younger to those around them. However, one of the most important and profound effects of aging on the human body is that on the brain. Now, some changes to the human brain through aging are considered normal while others are not, and most people fail to understand the differences. So, get to know more about the aging brain through an understanding of a condition known as mild cognitive impairment and learn what you can do to prevent it.
What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment is a stage of mental deterioration that falls between the normal aging process and more rapid or severe mental decline or deterioration such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Under most normal circumstances, a person who is experiencing the cognitive decline associated with aging will not notice it as it is happening.
This is because the changes are so gradual that they do not make a noticeable impact on day-to-day conversations or interactions. However, with mild cognitive impairment, you will likely be aware of the changes to your cognition. You will notice changes in your ability to recall events, names, and information that were easy to remember previously. You will lose your train of thought more often or misplace items frequently. Your friends, family, and coworkers will also be able to notice the differences in your cognition.
Why Worry About Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Most people ignore mild cognitive impairment and brush it off as a part of the normal aging process. After all, it does not stop you from functioning at work or home, nor does it take away your ability to remain independent like dementia and Alzheimer's. However, completely ignoring the condition is a definite mistake.
While you may want to think mild cognitive impairment is normal, it is not. In fact, the development of this condition is associated with an increased risk of developing more severe forms of dementia and Alzheimer's. Left unchecked, mild cognitive impairment can and will progress in severity and may cause you to develop even faster-developing dementia. If your mild cognitive impairment worsens or continues, you will likely require home health care services to help you through your daily routine and tasks as dementia will prevent you from being able to do so without assistance.
What Can You Do About Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Just because you are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment does not mean that there is no going back. In fact, with proper lifestyle changes and treatment, you can reverse the effects of mild cognitive impairment and may even prevent the early onset of more severe dementia.
Diet and exercise play a large role in the development of mild cognitive impairment. Exercising the body increases blood flow throughout the entire body, including to the brain, releases endorphins and other hormones that affect mental as well as physical performance, and helps to keep all of the systems in your body running. Even 20 to 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day (like going for a daily walk) can make a major difference.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet free of artificial ingredients, refined sugars, and low on simple carbohydrates (carbs low in dietary fiber and high in sugar). Whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables will help nourish your body and brain so that you have the best cognitive function possible.
There are currently no medications or drugs that are used to treat mild cognitive impairment directly. However, doctors may prescribe medications to treat other conditions that contribute to a decline in mental abilities including cardiovascular conditions, mental health disorders, sleep apnea, and even diabetes. Treating these health problems can indirectly treat mild cognitive impairment as well.
While most people do not take mild cognitive impairment to be anything more than a part of the normal aging process, this is not the case. In fact, left unnoticed and undiagnosed, it can and will progress to more serious forms of dementia, possibly even Alzheimer's disease. So, pay close attention to any changes in your cognition and memory, and make the necessary lifestyle adjustments to prevent the development and progression of mild cognitive impairment. Talk to a professional like ComForcare Home Care - Tigard, OR for information.
Share3 March 2015
