One and three people over sixty five have symptoms of dementia. One half over eighty have the diagnosable illness. Early symptoms include forgetting names, events and common things, like placement of car keys and other household items. This would not be at times when tired or stressed, however, these situations make it worse. It progresses to include trouble with logic and orientation. The causes are several, but Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia are the most common.
There in no cure and little treatment for Alzheimer’s. Vascular dementia is, however, impacted by aerobic exercise. People in their fifties who exercise forty-five minutes daily reduce dementia in their seventies by fifteen percent. More striking, seniors sixty five and over who walk ten miles weekly have half the dementia of those who don’t. This is all blood flow and circulation, combined with likely improved blood pressure control. More blood to small cerebral vessels equals less cell death. The decision to exercise is volitional and controlled by you!
Dementia is a horrible and heartbreaking disease, robbing people of their identities and very souls. We now know a way to have at least some impact. Get off the couch and get moving!