Active Ageing

Mental Illnesses

  According to World Health Organization, 25% of the world population is suffering from  Mental illnesses    But only 40% of these cases are diagnosed and treated. One million annual suicides are the result of these undiagnosed or missed cases. Most common causes for these suicides are depression, dementia, anxiety and Schizophrenia.

  Senior Citizens are susceptible to a variety of mental illnesses. Depression is the most common of these. Symptoms of depression include- Lack of interest in activities you enjoyed doing. Sadness or unexplained crying spells, jumpiness or irritability, Loss of memory, inability to concentrate, confusion or disorientation, Thoughts of death or suicide, Change in appetite and sleep patterns. Persistent fatigue, lethargy, aches and other unexplainable physical problems, Dementias and Pseudo/dementias.  

  These health issues are characterized by confusion, memory loss and disorientation.  Diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's as well as high blood pressure and strokes may cause it. When organs such as the heart, lungs, thyroid, pituitary and other glands do not function well, mental processes are affected. 

  Vitamin B-12 has been extensively researched for its importance in preventing dementia. Studies supporting a beneficial role of vitamin D in reducing the risk of diseases linked to dementia such as vascular and metabolic diseases. Except for the three vitamins - D, K, and Biotin, the other vitamins can be found in fruits, vegetables and lean meats, and must be a part of your regular diet.

  Memory loss:  A new study found that elderly people who ate more calories a day had a higher risk of a type of memory loss called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a stage of cognitive decline between normal age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s dementia. People with MCI have problems with memory and thinking that are noticeable to others, but that don’t interfere with everyday life.

  Walking ward off mental decline:   Walking 'could ward off dementia and mental decline'. Elderly people who get about by walking are less likely to suffer mental decline or even dementia, a study says. Brain scans revealed that older people walking between six and nine miles a week appeared to have more brain tissue in key areas. The Pittsburgh University study of 299 people suggested they had less "brain shrinkage", which is linked to memory problems. The research was reported in the journal Neurology. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain and may help build new brain cells, recent studies show. Mild exercise such as walking can boost brain volume and improve memory in older adults, researchers have found.

  Protect Your Brain in Old Age: New research suggests to  protect your brain are: 

  * Boosting Your B-Vitamin Intake- Researchers at the British Science Festival this week reported findings that high doses of B vitamins and folic acid could reduce memory decline and brain shrinkage

  * Cutting Fat, Carbs - A diet low in saturated fat and refined sugars may reduce your risk of developing dementia, according to research published earlier this summer

  * Exercising - Aerobic exercise may reduce your chances of developing dementia , and slow the progression of the disease once it starts.

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