A study reported in the British Medical Journal shows cognitive decline in groups beginning at the age of 45. The cognitive decline for those over sixty-five was more pronounced but the 45 to 49 age group, the youngest tested,  showed a 3.6 %  drop in reasoning scores over a ten year period. Researchers feel the findings are important because therapies for cognitive problems tend to be more effective when started as early as possible.

Improving cognitive function is a good goal for any age. The National Institute of Health has been encouraging seniors to get more exercise to increase blood flow to the brain to combat the onset of cognitive problems.  Many doctors already advise a stricter diet more exercise for patients

A recent article in the Huffington Post has looked at the last few years of research on the possible health benefits of drinking coffee. The drink has been avoided by many health conscious seniors due to a high caffeine content but it appears as though it may have some benefits when consumed in moderation.

Despite concerns about the consumption of caffeine recent research has suggested that many health risks are reduced with regular coffee consumption.  One study found coffee causes a release of mood altering hormones in the brain and may prevent depression.  Another benefit seniors may enjoy from coffee

A stroke can come on suddenly to anyone at almost any time. Its effects can be very debilitating and each person suffering from a stroke can have varying problems after the event. Strokes are caused by one of two things – a clot or restriction of blood flow to an area of the brain or a broken blood vessel that leads to a bleed.

The area of the brain affected by the stroke is what causes the symptoms. Damage to the left hemisphere may cause a problem for the patient with speaking afterwards and others can become aphasic and need to learn to speak again. Comprehending the spoken word can also become a problem. Some sufferers may also experience partial paralysis following a stroke.

A recent article published in Science Daily reported that some sporadic cases of Alzheimer’s originate in the same way that mad cow disease develops in the brain. The disease is caused by plaque that develops in the brain.  The development of this plaque looks similar to the development of the plaque that is created by the infection process found in humans when exposed to mad cow disease.

As with all new research it is far too soon to believe that the real cause has now been found but this does bring to light the fact that research seems to be progressing.  Alzheimer’s continues to be the sixth leading cause of death in the country. 

There have been many warnings about the dangers of smoking and the lives of many Americans have been improved by saying no to cigarettes and other tobacco products. This particular bad habit can be very hard on your lungs and your coronary arteries. The damage to your blood vessels does not stay limited to those that feed your heart muscle, however. Smoking affects all blood vessels, even those that are in your brain.

Last year a study by Kaiser Permanente that reviewed electronic records of 21,000 men and women was released. Researchers found that smokers of two packs a day have a 172% chance of developing vascular dementia. This dementia is caused by clogging of the capillaries and arteries that help keep the brain functioning.

Senior care service providers can design age appropriate fitness programs that will improve strength and balance. Making positive strides in these physical attributes can help to dramatically reduce the risk of potentially serious injuries that occur as a result of falls. Most people associate falls with bumps, bruises and broken bones but according to a recent study appearing in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association falls can carry a much greater risk. According to the study a fall or accident that results in a traumatic brain injury dramatically increases future stroke risk. Researchers concluded that those suffering a traumatic

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating condition that affects millions of Americans. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease there are viable methods of treatment that senior care service providers can employ. The available methods of treatment tend to be more effective when they can be implemented as early on in the progression of the disease as possible though.

A recent study conducted by researchers in France reveals a possible connection between falls and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers followed over well over a hundred seniors who showed no signs of cognitive impairment.

As we’ve discussed, keeping your body in shape through physical exercise is very important, but it is also important to remember to maintain a routine of mental exercise as well. Studies have shown that brain healthy activities can slow mental aging, so in addition to regular physical activity and a heart healthy diet, be sure to incorporate some daily workouts to keep your brain active and healthy.

Getting a full night of sleep, reading, having conversations with others, playing trivia games or card games, completing puzzles, and maintaining a hobby such as gardening are some works we can all consider in order to ensure that our brain gets a workout.

It isn’t unusual at all for people in pain to reach for the medicine cabinet in order to get some relief.  A new study shows that meditation could provide enough relief to be a viable alternative for reducing pain intensity though.

Researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine put nearly twenty adults through a brief course of instruction on meditation.  Participants were monitored for response to pain stimuli with a special MRI designed to measure long term brain activity both before and after to participation.

A new study suggests a possible connection between the consumption of foods rich in flavonoids and a decreased risk for developing Parkinson’s disease in men.  The results of the study which followed nearly 50,000 men and more than 80,000 women for more than two decade will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April.

Participants of the study filled out questionnaires detailing the types and quantities of foods they consumed through the course of the study.  Researchers than calculated their total flavonoid intake upon the information submitted via the health questionnaire responses.

Researchers were able to conclude from the information gathered that men who consumed the greatest quantities of flavonoid rich foods on the questionnaires