Cognitive decline is a common indicator of a serious neurological disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. When patients are diagnosed, doctors provide medications that improve the memory and try to decrease the progression of the illness. Three practical tips can show people have to slow down the progression of cognitive decline and address common risk factors such as heredity. With the right steps, the person could get more years with their family and avoid serious memory issues longer.
1. Get Daily Exercise to Keep Up the Heart Rate
A strict exercise plan can improve the heart rate and the person’s health dramatically. If they are experiencing any cognitive decline, their doctor will present the patient with a new exercise plan to keep oxygen flowing properly to the brain to prevent deficits that can affect their mental capacity and mental health. Rehabilitation centers may offer seniors assistance with these exercise plans and provide them with some help that prevents possible accidents. Seniors can learn more about exercise options at rehabilitation centers by contacting Jeff Cleveland right now.
2. Get Adequate Levels of Sleep
Studies show that an inability to get enough sleep can lead to severe health risks and may affect cognitive health, too. It is important for the person to get on a sleeping schedule whenever possible to ensure that their body becomes tired around the same time each night and they can get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Insomnia has serious and detrimental effects on the brain and heart, and it could lead to more complex symptoms for patients with cognitive decline.
Doctors may provide sleep aids for the person to help them fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. They must take the medication at the same time each time to get their cycle regulated. This can improve cognitive health and reduce the potential for faster progression of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
3. Follow a Healthier Diet
Studies show that diets high in refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup can have a devastating effect on the person’s health. It can also affect their cognitive abilities in a negative way. By eliminating these foods from the diet, the person has a better chance of improving their cognitive abilities and avoid sudden and profound cognitive decline.
Doctors recommend special diets for patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. The diet is provided to help them retain new information and avoid becoming disoriented because of their condition. It can also help with memory and reduce the progression of their disease.
When addressing the diet, the doctor must also take other medical conditions into consideration, such as diabetes, that can affect the body negatively if the person eats too many high-sugar foods or carbs. The diet must provide energy and stimulate cognitive abilities without causing negative effects related to other conditions.
Cognitive decline is a symptom of a multitude of neurological conditions including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. Cognitive decline is possible because of the aging process, but it is more gradual over a period of decades. A person with these neurological diseases will experience cognitive decline at a faster rate, and they may need in-home nursing care. Some patients will go to nursing homes when their disease reaches the final stages. By finding solutions that can reduce cognitive decline, it could provide the patients with more time with their families.
