It's a fear we all have:are we going to lose our mental faculties with age? But above all, is it inevitable? Today, we are going to give you a very Norman answer:yes and no. Over time, we lose our mental faculties but we can act on the phenomenon! How ? Here's everything you need to know about it!
We are getting older and, over the years, we are afraid of losing our minds. This fear is perfectly understandable. However, it is partially unfounded. You should know that our mental faculties decrease almost throughout our lives and not only when we arrive in the fall of our lives. From the age of 20, in other words as soon as adolescence ends, our faculties diminish. Memory loss increases as does our ability to learn.
The decrease in brain function is felt from the age of 50. It is much more pronounced among seniors over 65 years of age. It is characterized by memory loss but also concentration disorders.
The decline in our cognitive functions is inevitable. Indeed, the brain ages like the rest of the body. However, in some people it is faster. The connection between neurons is reduced with age but also slowed down. Our way of life is also responsible for the loss of our mental faculties.
Here are the recognized causes:
Rest assured, even if your brain works more slowly, it remains in perfect working order. Learning abilities decrease but not intellectual performance!
It is important to differentiate natural aging from pathological aging. The latter is also called dementia or even senile dementia. It is mainly observed after 75 years, however, it can occur earlier. It is estimated that between 20 and 45% of the elderly will be affected by pathological aging. Neurodegenerative diseases (with loss of neurons) are involved. Among them are Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease. Indeed, it is characterized by progressive brain damage and leads to a progressive loss of memory and certain cognitive functions. A person who suffers from Alzheimer's disease no longer has the ability to carry out daily activities. The disease evolves more or less quickly and causes the dependence of the patients. The causes of Alzheimer's disease are still unknown today.
Like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease. It leads to irreversible destruction of neurons, loss of autonomy and disability. Parkinson's disease is more precocious and can be diagnosed from the age of 45. Tremors and muscle stiffness are the first signs. It is not uncommon for other symptoms to appear such as digestive disorders or fatigue.
The capacities of the brain are exceptional. Even in old age, it can grow and regenerate. Know that it is quite possible to slow down the loss of mental faculties. To do so, you have to have a healthy life and train your neurons. Explanations.
Having a healthy lifestyle allows you to be in good physical health but also in good mental health. To protect yourself, you must:
Thanks to your diet, you can preserve your neurons! To achieve this, you have to eat specific foods. Among them are:
Having a balanced diet allows you to be healthy, to stay active and to slow down the aging of the body.
Regular physical activity is essential to maintain mental faculties. If your body is fit, your brain will be too. It is important to favor outdoor ones that allow toxins to be evacuated. Even if the effort is moderate, it is beneficial.
If you have the opportunity, try to practice sports or club outings. In this way, you will maintain a social link that is also essential to your brain. Indeed, loneliness and lack of interaction accelerate degeneration. To maximize your chances but also the connections between neurons, you have to discuss, exchange and share. Daily activities like listening to music, reading a book, cooking or gardening are great. You can even play board games or learn a foreign language.
You know it, your mental faculties are altered. In fact, you see it every day. Do not panic. Today there are medical and paramedical solutions to slow down the process. If you have any doubts, consult as soon as possible. Start by making an appointment with your GP. If necessary, this health professional will refer you to a neurologist.
Appropriate treatments are offered. They can include vitamin B12, thyroid hormones or even antidepressants. If necessary, assistance can be offered. In the most serious cases, placement of the person is necessary. This is the case if the degenerative disease causes a proven loss of autonomy.
