Title: Expert Provides Insight on Treatment Methods for Dementia Patients
Subtitle: Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Lifestyle Factors
Subtitle: Seeking Medical Attention and Diagnostic Procedures
Subtitle: Lifestyle Modification for Prevention and Management
Subtitle: Holistic Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease
Professor Park Young-ho from the Department of Neurology at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital shares valuable information on the treatment of dementia and specifically focuses on Alzheimer’s disease. As the elderly population continues to rise, so does the number of dementia patients in Korea. In 2017, there were 710,000 dementia patients, and this number has exceeded 1 million this year.
While dementia is often perceived as a disease, it is actually a symptom of reduced cognitive function with various causes. Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for approximately 70% of dementia cases, is the most common cause. It occurs when a toxic substance called amyloid protein accumulates in the brain, resulting in a decline in memory, language skills, cognitive ability, and spatial awareness. This, in turn, affects one’s ability to carry out daily activities independently.
Age is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, with a prevalence of 2% in individuals in their late 60s and escalating to 10% in those in their late 70s. Family history also plays a crucial role, as the risk triples if a parent or sibling has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, poorly managed metabolic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, coupled with low physical activity and smoking habits, contribute to an increased risk.
If individuals suspect symptoms of cognitive decline, it is essential to seek medical attention, preferably accompanied by a close family member. Self-diagnosis is challenging, and the input of a family member can help in making an accurate diagnosis. The diagnostic process typically begins with a neuropsychological test to assess various cognitive functions, followed by brain imaging tests, such as MRI, to identify specific changes in the brain. In some cases, positron tomography (PET) may be necessary to detect amyloid protein when no abnormalities are visible on an MRI. Blood tests may also be required to rule out dementia caused by organ dysfunction.
Contrary to popular belief, nutritional supplements and functional health foods have not been proven effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, lifestyle habits and the management of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes are crucial. Engaging in aerobic and strength training exercises, finding mentally stimulating hobbies, and not indulging in sedentary activities like excessive television watching after retirement are recommended.
When it comes to dietary choices, reducing saturated fat intake and increasing consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and foods rich in unsaturated fats are important. Olive oil, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, is recommended as an alternative to animal fats like butter. Minimizing the intake of saturated fat-laden foods such as bread, cookies, and ice cream is advised. Processed foods should be avoided, while berries with high antioxidant content and nuts with ample unsaturated fat are encouraged in moderation.
Additionally, opting for whole grains over refined flour and choosing brown rice instead of white rice are healthier dietary choices. If consuming red meat, boiling or steaming it is preferable. Ongoing management of lifestyle habits and the diligent treatment of metabolic diseases also play a vital role in preventing or slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
While a definitive cure for Alzheimer’s disease remains elusive, adopting a holistic approach that targets each risk factor through lifestyle modifications is instrumental. It is imperative for individuals, their close family members, and the community as a whole to prioritize long-term health and avoid relying solely on nutritional supplements or delaying medical intervention.
[insert newspaper-style formatting]
– Professor Park Young-ho, Department of Neurology, Dementia Clinic, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital said, “We need to reduce saturated fat and increase our intake of unsaturated fat, whole grains, and vegetables.”
– If you suspect symptoms, you should visit the hospital with a close family member… If herbal medicine is not effective, you need to improve your lifestyle habits.
[이데일리 이순용 기자] As the population structure of our society is aging and the proportion of the elderly population is increasing, the number of dementia patients also continues to increase. According to data published by the Central Dementia Center, the number of dementia patients in Korea in 2017 was 710,000, and the number was already above 1 million at the beginning of this year.
Dementia is often thought of as a disease. However, dementia is actually just a symptom of reduced cognitive function, and the causes of dementia are varied. Among them, Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause, accounts for about 70% of dementia. How should Alzheimer’s disease be treated? Learn about dementia with the help of Professor Park Young-ho, Department of Neurology, Dementia Clinic, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital.
◇ ‘Alzheimer’s disease’, which accounts for most cases of dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is known to occur when a toxic substance called amyloid protein builds up in the brain. Memory, language skills, cognitive ability and judgment of time and space are reduced, making it difficult to carry out everyday life on your own.
The representative risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is age. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, which is only about 2% in people in their late 60s, increases greatly to 10% in people in their late 70s. Family history is also important, and it is known that if one of the parents or siblings suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases approximately three times.
In addition, if metabolic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes are not properly controlled, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases even if physical activity and exercise are low. Smoking is also known to have negative effects. In the case of drinking, some studies have shown that drinking small amounts of alcohol actually helps reduce the risk of dementia, but there are differences of opinion among researchers in interpreting the results, and drinking is not recommended to prevent dementia .
◇ If you suspect symptoms, you should visit the hospital with a close family member.
Because it is very difficult to decide on your own whether cognitive decline is caused by Alzheimer’s disease or something else, you must visit a hospital. At this time, visiting a close family member and discussing the situation where’ you felt the abnormality together. help to make a correct diagnosis.
The first step in dementia treatment testing begins with a ‘neuropsychological test.’ It is a process to evaluate various cognitive functions such as memory, language ability, and visual-spatial ability. Afterwards, a ‘brain imaging test’ using MRI is used to examine whether changes have occurred in a specific part of the brain and find the exact cause.
However, in 10 to 20% of Alzheimer’s disease patients, no abnormal findings are detected on MRI. In this case, a diagnosis can be made by confirming the causative agent, amyloid protein, through positron tomography (PET). In addition, a blood test is required for dementia caused by reduced function of organs such as the liver or thyroid gland.
◇ To prevent dementia, nutritional supplements are not effective … Improving lifestyle habits is important
Many patients take nutritional supplements or functional health foods to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but none of them have been proven to be effective. So far, the best prevention method is improving lifestyle habits and managing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Firstly, it is recommended to practice aerobic and strength training without stressing the body, and it is recommended to find a hobby that will give good stimulation to the brain. Elderly patients, who mainly develop dementia, often spend time alone at home after retirement without doing any special activities, such as watching TV, which is a bad habit that has a negative impact on cognitive decline.
◇ Reduce saturated fat and increase intake of whole grains and vegetables
Eating habits are also not far from the principles of general health care. It is recommended to eat olive oil, which helps reduce inflammation, rather than animal fats such as butter, and it is best to reduce bread, cookies and ice cream that are high in saturated fat as much as possible. Avoid processed foods and eat vegetables every day, as well as berries that are full of antioxidants and nuts that are high in unsaturated fat. At this stage, a handful of berries or nuts a day is enough, and you should be careful not to eat too much.
Also, it is better to eat carbohydrates from whole grains rather than flour, it is better to eat brown rice rather than milled rice, and bread or pasta made from less milled whole wheat flour is better than normal flour. It is recommended to eat white meat such as chicken, duck, or fish rather than red meat such as beef or pork. If you must eat red meat, it is recommended to boil or steam it. It is also important to continue to manage these lifestyle habits and actively address metabolic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
As a definitive treatment for Alzheimer’s disease has yet to emerge, eliminating risk factors one by one through lifestyle modification is the most important way to prevent, treat, or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Even as you get older, you, your close family members, and people around you need to be aware and make an effort not to take care of your health and rely on nutritional supplements without sufficient evidence, or to avoid vaguely thinking you can do it. take medicine in hospital later.
Professor Park Young-ho from the Department of Neurology at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital explains treatment methods for dementia patients.
▶ Related article ◀
☞ Yoo In-chon, National Survey report ‘Around 30’?… The ruling and the opposition parties exploded.[2023국감]
☞ The ‘hawkish tone’ of Federal Reserve personnel has disappeared… The New York stock market is rising again[월스트리트in]
☞ ‘School violence victim’ Pyo Ye-rim found dead… extreme selective estimate
☞ One person in serious condition due to an explosion in Seosan City… An investigation into a possible extreme choice
☞ A couple who murdered their teenage stepdaughter… Why were they so cruel?[그해 오늘]
[바이오 성공 투자 ‘1%를 위한 길라잡이’ 팜이데일리]
[새로워진 ‘이데일리 연재 시리즈’ 취향대로 PICK하기]
[뉴땡 Shorts 아직 못봤어? 뉴스가 땡길 때, 1분 순삭!]
[10대의 뉴스는 다르다. 하이스쿨 커뮤니티 ‘하이니티’]
[다양한 미국 주식정보! 꿀 떨어지는 ‘이유TV’에서 확인!]
[빅데이터 AI트레이딩 솔루션 ‘매직차트’]
＜ⓒDaily comprehensive economic information media – Reproduction and redistribution prohibited＞
Soon Lee sylee@
#굿클리닉The #main #culprit #dementia #Alzheimers #Disease #nutritional #supplements #effective #improving #lifestyle #habits #important #Nate #News
