Keep Your Brain Fit and Stay Akamai

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Difficulty recalling a name or date is a natural part of aging, but there are things we can do to slow the process. The following frequently asked questions will help you assess your current brain fitness and give you tips and tools to stay akamai.

1 What happens to our brains as we age?

• Brain cells die.
• Brain size shrinks.
• Blood flow decreases.

2What are outward signs and symptoms of the brain aging?

• Trouble thinking of the right word or remembering names and dates.
• Misplacing things such as your keys or cell phone.
• Difficulty doing simple calculations.
• Poor judgment.
• Lack of critical thinking.

 

3Can you slow the symptoms of brain aging?

• Yes, brain cells can regenerate if they are stimulated.
• The brain is a muscle. Exercising it builds new pathways. This connects cells and neurons to improve brain function.

 

4What are some good ways to stimulate the brain and help keep it strong?

• Playing games (mah-jongg, Scrabble).
• Doing puzzles (Sudoku, crossword).
• Learning a language.
• Playing a musical instrument.
• Maintaining strong social ties.

 

5What can we do physically to protect or improve brain function?

• Eat a nutritious diet.
• Get sufficient sleep.
• Exercise regularly.
• Control blood pressure.
• Control blood glucose.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Avoid tobacco use.

 

6What should I eat to improve brain function?

• Eat dark-skinned vegetables and fruits that are high in antioxidants, such as spinach, broccoli, corn, eggplant, prunes, raisins, blueberries, strawberries, plums, oranges and cherries.
• Eat cold-water fish, which contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids – halibut, mackerel, salmon, trout and tuna.
• Some nuts, such as almonds, pecans and walnuts, are a good source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant.
• Reduce your intake of foods that are high in fat and cholesterol.

 

7Why are strong social ties important to help brain fitness?

• Socializing exercises cognitive skills. 
• A strong social network generally gives you more opportunities for activities, excursions and interactions.

 

8When should you be concerned that worsening brain function may be more than natural aging?

• Sudden progression or worsening of forgetfulness.
• Interferes with daily functions.
• Actions cause concern for health or safety.

 

9What should you do if you experience or see sudden or dramatic changes in mental focus?

• Talk to your doctor about:
• Signs and symptoms.
• Possible tests and treatments.
• Medications.
• Some symptoms are reversible with a change of medicine or treatment.

 

10What problems can medication cause?

• The combination of certain medications may cause confusion or forgetfulness. Stopping or changing the medication can reverse the affects.
• Over-the-counter medications for colds or allergies can occasionally cause slowness or disorientation.
• Discuss all medications with your doctor.