Cognitive decline

What is Cognitive Decline?

Cognitive decline refers to a gradual worsening of mental functions like memory, reasoning, attention, language, etc. It is a natural part of aging. However, some people experience cognitive decline earlier or more severely than expected.

Common Signs

• Forgetfulness - forgetting appointments, conversations, directions, etc.


• Difficulty learning new information - trouble remembering new names or instructions


• Decreased reasoning ability - making questionable decisions, trouble managing finances


• Problems with spatial orientation - getting lost in familiar places, misjudging distances


• Slower response time - taking longer to process questions or follow conversations

Main Causes

• Alzheimer's disease - progressive disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills


• Vascular dementia - impairment caused by brain damage from blockages or bleeding


• Lewy body dementia - abnormal protein deposits disrupt chemical signals in the brain


• Frontotemporal dementia - damage to frontal and temporal brain lobes


• Parkinson's disease - movement disorder that can lead to dementia

Risk Factors

Controllable risks that may accelerate decline:
* Lack of exercise - physical activity benefits brain health
* Smoking and alcohol abuse - promote blood vessel damage and cell death
* Vitamin deficiencies - vitamins like B12 support neural functioning
* Sleep deprivation - disrupts clearance of proteins linked to neurological diseases
* Social isolation - lack of social ties associates with poorer cognitive health

Prevention

• Aerobic exercise - improves blood flow and growth factors in the brain


• Adopt a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, fish, nuts and olive oil


• Train the brain with challenging activities - puzzles, learning new skills


• Treat underlying conditions - diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol


• Take preventative supplements like omega-3s and antioxidants


• Annual cognitive exams after age 50 to benchmark changes

If you're concerned about cognitive decline, Optimal Hormone Health Center() offers comprehensive hormone, nutritional and genetic testing to assess your risk and formulate personalized prevention plans. Maintaining hormonal balance and brain plasticity is key to lifelong cognitive health - schedule a consult today!