AGING BRAINS
WHAT IS
NORMAL?
Some memory problems
deserve medical attention.
Others are solved by writing
a to-do list.
“I’M HAVING A SENIOR MOMENT!”
It’s something we may blurt out when we mislay
the morning paper or forget why we stopped at
the supermarket.
For some, it’s a laugh-it-away moment. For
others, it sets off a quiet internal alarm: “Am I
starting to lose my memory?”
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are fears,
of course. But many momentary mental slips are
common and normal.
SUBTLE VS. SERIOUS
Everyday forgetfulness
is annoying, but not a cause for major concern.
This includes occasional mental fogginess about:
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Where you left your keys.
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Where you parked in the mega-store lot.
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The appointment time for a doctor’s visit.
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The name of someone who used to be your
neighbor.
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The location of a coffee date you set yesterday.
Many of these are examples of episodic mem-
ory, which can decline as years march on. But
they’re manageable.
More problematic—and worthy of professional
medical attention—are memory problems that
interfere with daily life.
These might include:
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Forgetting how to do familiar tasks, like unlocking a
door, writing a check or finding the bank.
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Forgetting the name of someone near and dear.
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Not being able to learn new things.
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Asking the same questions over and over again.
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Becoming confused about time, people or places.
Your primary care physician
can help determine if your memory
problems are a concern. If you need a doctor,
go to
and
click on “Find a Physician.”
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
UNDERSTAND THE BASICS
IT DEVELOPS GRADUALLY
—and
might start with a
slight shaking in a finger or one hand.
But Parkinson’s disease grows worse over time, though
how quickly it progresses varies from one person to the
next. If this year is typical, 60,000 people nationwide will
learn that they have the disease.
If you’re one of them—or know someone with it—the
answers to these questions may help you better under-
stand Parkinson’s and its treatments.
{
What exactly is Parkinson’s disease?
}
It’s a disorder that harms brain cells that control
muscle movement. Normally, these cells make an ad-
equate amount of a chemical called dopamine. But in
people with Parkinson’s disease, the cells either die or
stop working properly, causing dopamine to be in short
supply. That shortage triggers shaking and other move-
ment problems.
{
Who is at risk?
}
About 50 percent more men than women develop
Parkinson’s disease. And age is also a clear risk factor:
The average age at which Parkinson’s disease occurs is
60. And the risk of a diagnosis continues to rise after
that. Evidence also suggests that the disease might be
inherited. An estimated 15 to 25 percent of people with
Parkinson’s have a relative with it.
{
What are the symptoms?
}
Parkinson’s does not affect everybody in the same
way. Still, there are four main symptoms, which—if not
treated—can make it hard to walk, talk or complete sim-
ple tasks. These include:
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Tremors in the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face.
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Stiffness in the limbs and trunk.
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Slowness of movement.
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Poor balance and coordination.
Other symptoms can include depression; difficulty
swallowing, chewing and speaking; urinary problems or
constipation; skin problems; and disrupted sleep.
{
How is it treated?
}
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s, sev-
eral different medicines can dramatically ease symp-
toms. Often, doctors combine two drugs—levodopa and
carbidopa—to help ease tremors and stiffness. Surgery
is also a possible treatment, including deep brain stim-
ulation. This operation may control tremors and other
symptoms when medicines are no longer effective.
Sources: National Institutes of Health; National Parkinson’s Foundation
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Getting lost in places you know well.
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Not being able to follow directions.
If you’re concerned about your memory, talk
with your doctor.
Brain diseases like dementia aren’t the only
conditions that can affect how you think, learn
and remember.
Memory problems can also be caused by things
such as depression; medication side effects; thyroid
problems; too few vitamins and minerals; stress;
and lack of sleep.
A thorough exammight provide some insight,
answers and peace of mind.
PROTECT WHAT YOU HAVE
Research is uncov-
ering hints about what might help keep memory
sharp or help people handle the small deficits that
they do notice. You can’t go wrong by making
these ideas priorities for the rest of your years:
Socialize.
This can help improve your mood
and memory.
Move your body.
Blood flow to the brain natu-
rally decreases over time, and the size of the brain
actually decreases too. Exercise can help keep your
blood circulating, which nourishes your brain.
Eat well.
Eating more vegetables—especially
leafy greens—and less saturated fat may benefit
brain health. Eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty
acids, such as tuna and salmon, also may help.
Challenge your mind.
Some experts believe that
intellectual pursuits—such as reading, learning a
new skill, taking a class or playing games—can
stimulate brain cells and the connections be-
tween cells.
Organize your space.
Getting rid of clutter
and giving everything—such as keys, glasses,
purse and cellphone—its own place saves time
and frustration.
Focus, focus, focus.
Multitasking can be harder
as we age, so try to focus on one important task
at a time.
Embrace memory aids.
These include keeping a to-
do list and a calendar. Review both several times a day
and you’ll be more confident about your state of mind.
Sources: American Psychological Association; National Institute on Aging
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T H E
S A M A R I T A N
